At the heart of the Charlotte Mason method is the belief that children should be immersed in rich, living literature. This approach emphasizes exposing children to a wide range of quality books, both classic and contemporary, that spark the imagination and cultivate a love for reading. By reading aloud to children and encouraging independent reading, parents can inspire a deep appreciation for language and storytelling.
“Children should have the joy of living in far lands, in other persons, at other times — a delightful double existence; and this joy they will find, for the most part, in their storybooks.” (Charlotte Mason, Vol 1, Pg 153)
Narration is a cornerstone of the Charlotte Mason approach to language arts. Instead of relying on comprehension questions or worksheets, children are encouraged to narrate or retell what they have read or heard. This practice strengthens their listening skills, memory retention, and ability to articulate their thoughts. Through regular oral expression, children build confidence in their ability to communicate effectively. Narration also fosters critical thinking skills as children must organize and retell their thoughts based on their understanding.
To enhance penmanship, spelling, and grammar, the Charlotte Mason method uses copywork and dictation exercises. Children are given short passages from excellent literature to copy, helping them internalize sentence structure, punctuation, and grammar. Dictation takes this a step further, as children listen to a passage read aloud and transcribe it from memory. These activities cultivate attention to detail, improve spelling proficiency, and reinforce proper grammar usage.
While Charlotte Mason’s approach is primarily literature-based, it also integrates grammar instruction within the context of literature. Rather than isolating grammar in dry textbook exercises, children learn grammar naturally by observing and analyzing the grammar in well-written books. This organic approach helps children apply their grammar knowledge to both writing and speaking.
In keeping with Charlotte Mason’s emphasis on connecting with nature, nature study and composition play an important role in language arts education. Children explore and observe the natural world, documenting their experiences through journal entries and compositions. This practice not only hones their writing skills but also nurtures a deeper appreciation for the beauty of nature.
The Charlotte Mason homeschooling approach to language arts provides a rich, holistic framework for cultivating a love for literature, fostering strong communication skills, and nurturing a child’s imagination. By immersing children in quality literature, practicing narration and oral expression, integrating copywork and dictation, and embracing nature study and composition, parents can create a vibrant and engaging language arts curriculum. This approach encourages children to develop both the mechanics of language and a lifelong passion for learning and exploration.
The language arts packets from A Gentle Feast follow Charlotte Mason’s guide to instill a love of learning, and thorough learning. We provide the option to look at samples, which can be found HERE, so you can see what the curriculum includes and expectations. If you are looking for a language arts program that allows your child to write creatively, study grammar in a simplistic way, uses copywork and dictation to encourage self-learning, and uses quality literature to do all of the above and so much more, this just might be the answer! Take a look at all of our language arts products HERE, or use the full curriculum to apply Charlotte Mason’s philosophy to every aspect of your homeschool!
