For the Children's Sake: Foundations of Education for Home and School

Warm, nurturing, wise, patient, mindful of the development process... Gets to the heart of the matter. I revisit this book often and recommend to those interested in home education.

I highly recommend someone considering Homeschooling or currently homeschooling to read this book.

This book was worth my time this Sunday morning to sit here and write a review on it. I have my dog-eared copy on my bedside bookshelf, where only the most loved or currently read books may reside. This book falls into both categories. Last night I picked up the book to read a snippet before falling asleep. I just let the book open where it may and it opened right where I needed it -- on a page that explains how a mother might discipline her unmotivated (lazy?) child without demeaning him. She should encourage him, saying, "I know you can do this. You did ___." (and there she gives an example of a time when he did something to completion). As another reviewer mentioned, this book is not a book for only homeschoolers. It is written for teachers and for parents. Some quotes that I underlined in my copy: "Excellence is a habit." pg. 37 "The adult, whether teacher or parent, has to be able to enjoy and understand what he or she is reading with the children." pg. 39 "In the Bible, the result of wrongdoing was usually related to the offense." pg. 45 "If you expect what is good, and are not shocked by the reality of the faltering footsteps toward it, you will be well on the way to leading." pg. 51 "Children obey best when their lives are as fully satisfying as possible. If minds are interested, skills are being learned, loving relationships are enjoyed, creativity is encouraged, beauty in art, nature, and music are appreciated, hours are spent in free play - why these children will be well on their way to having their sinful natures put in the back seat!" pg. 55 (she goes on to say why -- it's because "sinful natures expand like a malignancy with boredom, loneliness, passivity, tiredness, etc.") "Our first concern is to open the door to the knowledge of God." pg. 92

This book set the vision in my mind for the type of education I'd like to provide for my children -- warm, intelligent, full of life. A living education full of living books, living ideas, living people! For the past eight years, I've tried to re-read this book at least once a year to keep my vision fresh and my mind focused. This is the one book I always recommend -- or give as a gift -- to anyone as they first consider the idea home education. A real treasure!

As a parent considering homeschooling, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It presents an appealing overview of what homeschooling and family life can be at its best. It takes the ideas and methods of Charlotte Mason and shows how they can be incorporated into any family, whether homeschooling or not. The information on "living" books makes the book a must read for any parent.

I began homeschooling our children in 1985 using a workbook program. I read a review of this book in Mary Pride's Big Book, and borrowed it through InterLibrary Loan. Now I have my own copy! This book is a short introduction to home education philosophy as well as practice. Charlotte Mason included in the Preface of each of her 6 volume set called "Home Education", 18 Principles as a synopsis. If you are following these 18, you may be said to be a Charlotte Mason person. All 18 are explained in this book, in a short and easy to read format. I recommend this book to anyone considering homeschooling, or who is tired of the way they are learning and living now. CM is a Christian literature-based educational philosophy. It is a Discipline, an Atmosphere, a Life - and this book can show you how to get there.