A Delectable Education Charlotte Mason Podcast

"Education, said Charlotte Mason, is an "atmosphere, a discipline, and a life." Habit formation, the discipline, is fundamental to our function as persons. Miss Mason offers descriptions of habit formation as well as counsel on habit training. Emily, Liz, and Nicole discuss the essentials for building those habits that make for "the good life."

It is not an exaggeration to say that understanding the ideas in this Charlotte Mason podcast is the most important piece of knowledge you can gain as a teacher and parent. Liz, Emily, and Nicole focus on Miss Mason's use of method rather than system in education. It is a way of seeing the child, his education, and discipleship that brings life rather than fixed results.

Charlotte Mason was convinced that children--all children--are born persons and advocated for "a liberal education for all." This interview is with Nicolle Hutchinson who founded and administrates Gillingham Charter School in Pottsville, PA. Once Mrs. Hutchinson, a public school teacher, discovered Charlotte Mason, she knew there was a way to make public education life-giving. In this interview, s...

This month's Charlotte Mason Q&A episode addresses common challenges most families face:  how much should the child's preferences contribute to book selection, how can we most effectively combine various age and ability levels, and that precarious balance of the day-to-day routine--specifically, how do the ADE ladies personally budget and manage their daily schedules.

Charlotte Mason's method works in all kinds of homes and with every kind of child. This podcast interview with Jenny Schreiner demonstrates this perfectly. If you have ever felt overwhelmed, just imagine seven children under 11, special needs children, adopted children, being new to and trying to implement Charlotte Mason. Listen be refreshed and encouraged by Jenny's vulnerable and valuable lesso...

Charlotte Mason grounded her educational method on definite principles and practices--and the subject of mathematics is no exception. Today's guest, Emily Al-Khatib is a math teacher herself and shares her perspective on the beauty and truth of using Miss Mason's methods in this part of the feast.

Charlotte Mason sent her programmes out to thousands, but what would she say about families striking out on their own to determine their own course? It is an era of independent-minded homeschoolers; is it possible to come close to her standards for the feast and the right living books to offer? This episode explores the pros and cons of designing your own program, whether it is possible, when it i...

Charlotte Mason valued time and recognized its limitations. This Q&A episode considers three questions regarding time:  use of scheduling cards to develop a timetable for multiple ages, how to handle a child who cannot tolerate book work for much time, and, last but not least, how a mother can possibly manage all her  responsibilities in the time she has.

Charlotte Mason believed children are born persons and this podcast honors a very special person and her family. Liz Cottrill interviews Amy Fields, mother of a "full care child," whose handicaps seem insurmountable but whose spirit is indomitable. Enjoy this interview to hear how Charlotte Mason's method applies to a child the world would consider uneducable.

The subject of composition perplexes because Charlotte Mason required it and yet discouraged its instruction. How does a teacher abide by her principles and fulfill these requirements? This episode analyzes her principles of writing skill and instruction and traces its development through the forms.

Charlotte Mason left us her wisdom in her extensive writings, but this podcast episode specifically addresses the further wealth of information available through the CMDC--The Charlotte Mason Digital Collection. The ADE ladies explain how the preserved and archived documents and pictures from Miss Mason's House of Education can aid, inspire, and clarify the practice of the principles. Listen for a...

Charlotte Mason's method is no exception: wherever truth is sown, misconceptions and myths are sure to proliferate alongside it. This month's Q&A episode addresses some common questions arising from some of the myths that surround her.

Charlotte Mason valued the child, and the mother, and this week's podcast episode reveals why. Emily interviews LaShawne Thomas who describes her journey from a full-time professional career, to homeschooling; from Montessori to Charlotte Mason; from one military assignment to the next--homeschooling all the way. Does Charlotte Mason's method suit every situation?

Charlotte Mason considered musical training an essential, including Solfa in her curriculum. This interview with Heidi Buschbach reveals the purpose of this method of music training, how Miss Mason employed it in her curriculum, and how untrained teachers can take advantage of resources to include this subject in their own lessons.

We begin a new year with Charlotte Mason's birthday by celebrating her life. This podcast episode reviews the timeline of Charlotte Mason's life, her accomplishments and the progression of her career, and reveals in part the beautiful influence her generous life offers us today.

What would Charlotte Mason say about children coming into the feast late or mid-year, when children refuse to cooperate, or how to get them to be more independent in their school lessons? This month's Q&A addresses these questions from listeners.

This podcast episode of Charlotte Mason in Our Homes features an interview with a mother of six children. Listen to her open and honest tale of how she decided upon a Charlotte Mason education, manages lessons with children in three forms, and some of the encouraging results she has discovered already in only her second year of teaching with this living education.

Charlotte Mason thought geography a vital subject in the feast, but where do maps fit into the lessons and what are the most effective ways to use them? Emily unpacks her most recent research and dispels some popular myths about map work.

Living ideas flow from the living books Charlotte Mason assigned for school lessons and life lessons. This episode examines the purpose for the selection of literature for those after-school hours, and how to encourage this life-giving reading habit.  

Charlotte Mason has given us a method of education. What does this imply? Was it based on  tradition? science? natural or divine law? And, what in all practical use, do these questions have to do with the day-in and day-out teaching of our children. How much do we consider the evidence of modern research and measurement in determining our curriculum or our teaching techniques? Join the rousing dis...

Charlotte Mason had children feasting on books, which means we teachers have questions about them. This month's Q&A podcast episode addresses questions about children who are sensitive to certain books, how to find great living books, and, when they come home, how to organize those books.

The Charlotte Mason in Our Homes series continues with an interview with Michele Jahncke, mother of five and business owner. We are grateful for her years of experience that have given her insight and encouragement for all busy moms everywhere, and especially those who find it necessary to work outside the home while trying to do a conscientious job of homeschooling. Michele shares honestly about...

In the curriculum feast Charlotte Mason spreads for children is the subject of physical geography. This podcast episode will define how physical geography fits into the curriculum and the way it was developed throughout the forms.

This episode of A Delectable Education podcast addresses a question Charlotte Mason never had to face: reading and electronics.  Reading in our day is in a state of plummeting deterioration. Electronics are here to stay but have a detrimental effect on the reading habits. How do we cope with these two conditions? How do we help our children live with technology and become deep readers?