Most homeschooling parents spend a great deal of their summer months choosing and preparing curricula for the coming year. While academics are, of course, important—there is more to homeschooling than just the books.
The principles of turn-of-the-century British educator Charlotte Mason are often cited as inspiration for homeschooling families. One of her best-known ideas is, as she puts it, “Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life.” Her broad definition of education calls for parents to consider academics, yes, but goes beyond just reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic to also consider the learning environment, regular routines, and overall character of one’s life.
