Charlotte Mason Immersion: The Early Years

I attended another talk given by Gina of Our Living Learning about The Early Years. The talk was very insightful. It gave me an idea on what to do during these years. I got a peek at how the Early Years should look like in a CM perspective.

I've learned a great deal about the importance of the Early Years which is also the formative years, the foundation that shapes children's future health, happiness, growth, development, and learning achievement.

I came to understand that we should not tire our child or overschedule them because the earlier we start formal schooling, we stunt their growth. Mechanical exercises and meaningless tasks of memory may result to over-pressure, too much mental work and early stress. 

I remember my eldest son Gabi, he went to conventional school at the age of 4. He was so eager and excited during the first few days. But he eventually grew tired of schooling. He came to a point where the school is not desirable anymore. Blame it on us for putting him in school very early depriving him of time to explore and wonder.

But I praise God because I know everything happened for a reason and we learned our lesson from it. It also has led us to this decision of homeschooling our kids.

"The danger is not in giving the child too much work, but in giving him the wrong thing to do; work that is not for his present state of development."

"We substitute facts for that wonder which is the seed of knowledge, and then we are surprised that eager children grow into dull and indifferent little boys and girls."

According to Gina, the framework for early years are the following: the discipline of habits, joy from out-door life/nature, the child sees knowledge as desirable and finally, relationship with the Almighty. From this, we can draw out activities that will give them room to explore, learn and grow. We can offer them a wide feast during these years but no formal lessons. We can teach them reading and writing provided that the child has his natural inclination to it. Definitely, not forcing them so as not to stifle their natural curiosity.

I'll be doing some modifications in our current AO Year 3 schedule come Term 2 based on what I learned from this talk. For my 3 yo, I need to work on the two most important habit: obedience and attention. I need to equip him with the discipline of habit and hone his attention. This will help him prepare for the later years when formal years begin.

It's always delightful to learn more about Miss Mason's principles from a CM guru. Again, thanks Gina for unselfishly sharing your passion and knowledge. There is so much more to learn from this method.

"The chief function of the child-his business in the world during the first six or seven years of his life-is to find out all he can, about whatever comes under his notice, by means of his five senses, that he has an insatiable appetite for knowledge and that, therefore, the endeavor of his parents should be to put him in the way of making acquaintance freely with Nature and natural objects." - Charlotte Mason