If you want to study up, I’d recommend starting with these two links:
A Formidable List of Attainments for a Child of Six–For Five-Year-Olds or Six-Year-Olds?
This is my attempt to catalogue what CM says in Volume 1 about children under six. The first part focuses on the List of Attainments, but read all the way through. One important part:
"Charlotte Mason did not intend for children under the age of six to be free to play all day with no parental direction or instruction. She gives us definite guidelines for the type of gentle instruction we should weave into our children’s days."
Charlotte Mason's Volume 1, Part V, Section 2: The Kindergarten as a Place of Education
Start with the second section in Charlotte Mason's Volume 1, Part V, which covers the kindergarten, and also read the third section (which also covers the kindergarten). Read carefully and see what she praises about the kindergarten and what she mentions as concerns. Notice also where she says that certain aspects of the kindergarten (as a formal institution) are good but can be handled better differently at home–those are aspects you’ll want to keep in mind as you make your own plan.
Think and pray about your goals for a K year. What is its purpose? What do you hope to accomplish? What does your specific child need during this time (which may last for more than one year)?
It is absolutely possible to have a kindergarten year that follows Charlotte Mason’s advice. May you find just the right arrangement for your child!
HI.
ReplyDeleteI am new to homeschooling and Charlotte Mason. I have definitely done my research and know about her methods, but am still a bit nervous about our first year. My daughter will be 6 when we "start" in August. She is just now learning how to read with AlphaPhonics primer. I feel so behind from where the typical CM 6-year-old should be. Have any encouragement or advice about our 1st year? We have not done the "year 0" but she is old enough to start Year 1. Should I go ahead and start with Year 1? Help!!
Have you been out to the AO forum (http://amblesideonline.org/forum/)? I think you'll be encouraged. I don't think the "typical" CM 6-year-old is where you think. lol On the other hand, my first started Year 1 at 6-1/2 and my others have all been close to 7 before starting, so I obviously choose to start a bit older.
DeleteI completely agree with the standpoint of “typical”. What is beautiful about this curriculum and homeschooling, combined, is that we tailor our methods with CM’s at our own pace. Luckily, I have found that many are highly interested in fostering our children and students’ minds through natural learnings. The forum is a good outlook, indeed!
DeleteThanks so much.
ReplyDeleteI will visit the AO forum. I do enjoy this site as well.
Thank you! Do many parents start year 0 with their six year olds and do year 1 with seven year olds?
ReplyDeleteCertainly some do. Year 1 is intended for six year olds though, so often it works to just start with Year 1.
DeleteI'm starting in the fall Y1 with my 7yrd old and doing 0Y now to create the habits needed for the years to come.
ReplyDeleteI hope this is a wonderful season!
DeleteHi! I am wondering what the AO link regarding kindergarten was supposed to be to? It no longer works, but I would love to see that info. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for letting me know that the link was dead! The website was revamped and many links changed. Here's the new link, which I'll add to the post:
Deletehttps://www.amblesideonline.org/CM/vol1complete.html#1_5a
Thank you!!
DeleteGreat read
ReplyDeleteThe link doesn't work. Help!
ReplyDeleteThank you for letting me know! The link works now.
Delete