May 28, 2025 – What Is the Charlotte Mason Style?

Mercy Every Minute

Deborah Wuehler, TOS Senior Editor

A Feast of Learning

What is the Charlotte Mason (CM) philosophy? And, what exactly does a CM homeschool style look like? I moved from stressed to relaxed when I finally figured it out.

CM is an educational philosophy that beautifully intertwines the practical with the profound. The idea is that children are not empty vessels to be filled, but persons created in the image of God, deserving a beautiful, living education. This perspective aligns with what we desire for our children: a nurturing environment that honors their individuality while pointing them to their Creator.

CM’s emphasis on living books, narration, and the study of nature resonates with homeschooling families because it brings learning to life. I loved the delight of nature studies (the children loved our nature walks and nature emphasis) and I loved the ease of narration where my children would narrate back to me in their own words what we were reading or studying. Such a nicer way to learn than boring textbooks and worksheets! 

Charlotte Mason reminded us that education is not just about academics but about shaping the whole person—their character, their habits, and their relationship with God. It’s more about cultivating wisdom and virtue than just filling their heads with facts.

At home we can offer what CM describes as a ‘feast’ of learning, offering them the opportunity to engage personally with living books and the beauty of creation. 

Charlotte Mason reminds us to view education as a calling, one that partners with God in raising up children for His purposes. As she so beautifully put it: “Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life.” Let us approach this calling with the faith that God will provide all the wisdom, strength, and grace we need as we keep them Home. Where They Belong.

~Deborah

I have several personal favorite Charlotte Mason authors who have influenced me over the years:

Karen Andreola: https://www.thehomeschoolmagazine-digital.com/thehomeschoolmagazine/library/page/2021×3/40/ 

Jeannie Fulbright: https://www.thehomeschoolmagazine-digital.com/thehomeschoolmagazine/library/item/2025×2/4253500/ 

Sonya Shafer: https://www.thehomeschoolmagazine-digital.com/thehomeschoolmagazine/library/item/2022×1/3970027/ 

Find many more CM articles at www.TOSApps.com. 

(Copy this link to share this article with a friend.)

Nature Study Inspired by Charlotte Mason’s Wisdom
Blend wonder, science, and STEM/STEAM with Nature Study Companion. Download Ten-Minute Nature Studies free!  www.livingbookspress.com

Natalie Mack

Pure Joy of Learning

The Charlotte Mason (CM) style of homeschooling is a time‑tested educational approach developed by British educator Charlotte Mason in the late 19th century. Rooted in the belief that children are whole persons with rich potential, this method emphasizes the development of good habits, a love for learning, and the use of “living books” rather than dry textbooks.

We began applying the CM approach to our homeschool many years ago. Overall, we are an eclectic homeschool family with doses of CM and Classical sprinkled over the past twenty‑three years.  

Why was I drawn to Charlotte Mason? I was drawn to the gentle nature of the approach, which allowed us to immerse ourselves in the pure joy of learning. We studied literature, history, and science surrounded by twaddle-free books. One of the goals of the CM style is to cultivate good habits by developing an appetite for quality literature, nature study, art, and music. 

Most homeschoolers build a well-stocked home library. As a military homeschooler, I had to be concerned about our household weight when it was time to relocate. But Charlotte Mason advocated for the use of living books which directed me to be intentional about what books graced our home bookshelves. We did use textbooks, because remember, we are an eclectic homeschool family, but our history and science studies were supplemented by quality books. 

Another focus of the CM style is developing your handwriting skills via copywork of famous quotes or scripture. I knew that our children were not only improving their cursive skills, but also taking in that which was good and beautiful.

The Charlotte Mason style is particularly appealing to families who value a gentle, literature-rich education that nurtures the whole child—mind, heart, and character. It’s a flexible, enriching approach that has stood the test of time and continues to inspire homeschoolers around the world.          

About the author

Natalie Mack is an author, TEDx speaker, and experienced twenty-three years military home educator. She is known for her words of encouragement and advocacy for homeschooling. She is known for her motto- “Let’s Get It Done” which encourages homeschoolers that you can homeschool to college successfully! Natalie is a retired Navy chaplain’s spouse and mom of five: four college graduates and a 12^th grader.

She owns Natalie Mack, LLC which provides homeschool educational consultations and speaking services. Natalie is also the founder of Military Homeschoolers Association which hosts the podcast: Base2Base Military Homeschooling. Additionally, Natalie is the Military Community Outreach Coordinator for HSLDA.

Natalie’s published works include the book 101 Tips for Homeschoolers available on Amazon and several magazine articles.

(Copy this link to share this article with a friend.)

Blick is your source for homeschool essentials! Shop affordable, high-quality creative supplies and download FREE lesson plans. Shop at DickBlick.com or by calling (800) 828-4548.

Stephanie Morrison

Creating the Atmosphere of Education

My goal of education is to instill honourable character built on a strong foundation of faith, supported by a lifelong love of learning—with some good knowledge added along the way. This is what I feel Charlotte Mason conveyed through her approach to education. Back when my children were still in their preschool years and I was learning how to educate them, the Charlotte Mason style of education was what helped me understand why the education of my children was more about creating an environment they could thrive in than just saving them from the mass education environment that would limit them. 

While I have never taken on all the Charlotte Mason principles, this perspective of raising up children with an excellent education has been the foundation for my parenting life. In the words of Charlotte Mason, “Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life.” I consider the Charlotte Mason approach an educational philosophy that every parent should learn about. There is a six-volume series of books written by Charlotte Mason in the early 1900s which would be a wonderful deep dive into all areas of raising up children, but there are also many other books that have been written over the years that provide a thorough, yet more condensed explanation of this popular homeschooling approach. Every educator, especially parents, will benefit from learning about Charlotte Mason’s teaching methods. 

These are my Charlotte Mason favorites that have been a mainstay in our homeschool: 

Focus on habit-building (a lifelong effort for us all!);
Use living books for learning (textbooks don’t provide much heart to the subject);
Use narration to evaluate learning comprehension (I still use this today);
Develop a love of God’s creation through nature study (always be learning about God’s provision).

(Copy this link to share this article with a friend.)

About the author

Pursuing her calling to help parents enjoy the responsibility of educating their children, Steph works with select clients in the home education industry and helps entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses from home. She and her family are perfectly placed in the prairies of Saskatchewan, Canada. She loves being a homebody and building up her permaculture property. Learn more about Steph at: www.CreatingWorkandPlay.com.

Christine Weller

Quality and Curiosity

The Charlotte Mason style of education is a gentle, literature-rich approach that emphasizes cultivating a love for learning through living books, nature exploration, and habit training. Named after the British educator Charlotte Mason (1842–1923), this method focuses on educating the whole child—mind, body, and spirit.

Central to Mason’s philosophy is the idea that children are not empty vessels to be filled with facts but persons with minds capable of thinking deeply. 

Here are some key elements of the Charlotte Mason Method:

1. Living Books: Instead of textbooks, living books—written by passionate authors—bring subjects to life. These books engage the reader’s imagination and often include vivid storytelling.
   
2. Short Lessons: To cultivate focus and avoid fatigue, lessons are brief, lasting ten to twenty minutes for younger children and gradually increasing with age.
   
3. Narration: Students retell what they’ve read or learned in their own words, reinforcing comprehension and communication skills.
   
4. Nature Study: Outdoor time is essential. Students observe, sketch, and record discoveries in a nature journal, fostering an appreciation for God’s creation.
   
5. Habit Training: Good habits, such as attentiveness, responsibility, and kindness are intentionally cultivated as part of character development.
   
6. Variety of Subjects: A wide range of subjects is covered, including literature, poetry, art, music, history, science, and handicrafts, ensuring a well-rounded education.
   

The Charlotte Mason method is both structured and flexible, making it a popular choice for homeschoolers. By focusing on quality over quantity and nurturing curiosity, this approach helps children develop a lifelong love for learning while growing in character and faith.

(Copy this link to share this article with a friend.)

About the author

Christine Weller has been homeschooling her two boys, 10 and 6, since birth in the lovely province of Ontario, Canada. She is also a mom blogger and children’s book author. She is currently working to support homeschoolers everywhere through various roles at The Old Schoolhouse®.

Have you ever wondered what Charlotte Mason homeschooling is? Don’t worry! You’re not alone. Fortunately, SchoolhouseTeachers.com is here to help! The Charlotte Mason Method is a style of homeschooling based on the teaching style and principles of the nineteenth-century educator Charlotte Mason. In this style of education, children are active learners, engaged in the exploration and adventure of learning. Be sure to check out the Charlotte Mason Focused Learning Center to find out more about how you can teach the Charlotte Mason way with courses from SchoolhouseTeachers.com.