(Updated and revised)
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
“Do not underestimate the importance of all the conversations (slow and clear conversations) that a mother has throughout the day with her child. If Mother speaks clearly and decisively, she is giving the child valuable language lessons. All the reading aloud she enjoys doing every day–as her children listen attentively–is doing verbal wonders, naturally, to teach English. I trusted Charlotte and did not teach grammar directly until each young student reached the age of ten. Each always did well on the language section of the year-end test…most children just need practice in hearing and speaking the English language (not television language) to get accustomed to the basic “right and wrong” of grammar.”
From Charlotte Mason Companion
I can testify to this truth as a former high school English teacher. When children have a good grasp of the way language “sounds”, simply from partaking in good, consistent conversation, the nuts and bolts of grammar come more easily and can be postponed until children have a better understanding of abstract concepts.
By the way, when I entered my first year teaching high school students, I was prepared to only review grammar and focus on literature. To my surprise, most of the class–about 85%, didn’t even have a basic grasp of grammatical structure and could not pick out the basic parts of speech. Which may have been OK if they could construct a good sentence, but alas, they could not. So don’t worry so much about “being behind the average school child” Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Giving attention to our conversations lets us find ways to introduce new words and ideas in a very natural, but “sticky” way (meaning, it is more likely “to stick”). Look for conversation starters. Often, it comes from a child’s question, usually in abundance throughout the day.
A book can easily spark further conversation and I especially encourage you to ask a child to “narrate”, as Charlotte Mason called it, or “tell back”, in their own words, what they remember from the story.
(Don’t forget to utilize your time in the car or waiting for an appointment for rich conversation.)
In our increasingly electronic age where people spend less and less time interacting face to face, let us not neglect this very basic and needful exercise in teaching our children to be effective communicators!
“Too often home educators try to set up a government school at home. How foolish I was with all my records, charts, tests, and clip boards at the start! Students should read well, write well, be numerate, and cultured.”
John Mark Reynolds
Think Outside the Classroom
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
$6.97 Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Are you a homeschooling mother who worries that you aren’t “doing enough”? Are you thinking of homeschooling but feel afraid that you aren’t qualified? If so, read more…