CMP Review 2025-01-07

January 7, 2025

“The destiny of the child is ruled by his parents,” wrote Charlotte Mason, “because they have the virgin soil all to themselves. The first sowing must be at their hands, or at the hands of such as they choose to depute… What do parents sow? Ideas. We cannot too soon recognise what is the sole educational seed in our hands, or how this seed is to be distributed.”

Yes, parents have the soil to themselves, and yes, they sow ideas. But not every idea is for every time of life, and not every seed comes from home. And parents must not only sow, but also encourage the reaping of habit.

Few people better understood Charlotte Mason’s model of idea and habit better than Dr. Helen Webb, known affectionately as the “Beloved Physician.” In her article “Seed Time,” she illuminated the relationship between soil, seed, and season in the heart and life of the child. It’s fascinating and thought-provoking, recommended reading for any Charlotte Mason educator. Now for the first time you can find it online, here.

@artmiddlekauff