CMP Review 2025-02-04

February 4, 2025

Two of Charlotte Mason’s twenty principles explain what she means by “the way of reason.” Her fascinating insight deals with the limitations of reason and the “chief responsibility” which rests on children as persons. It is a profound concept but one that is rarely addressed in other writings.

A notable exception is Elizabeth Cambridge’s 1935 article “Should Children Reason?” This fascinating piece, first presented at that years’ annual PNEU conference, offers keen insight into “the way of reason.” The writer’s observations range from math facts to abstract ideas and anticipate modern discussions about how to teach “critical thinking.”

This vintage article is valuable, however, not only for helping us better understand the way of reason. The deeper story behind that article is that Elizabeth Cambridge was herself a mother who had to learn what happens when children are allowed to reason. It is a powerful glimpse into a life that has a message for all parents, a message now available on the Internet for the very first time. Read or hear it here.

@artmiddlekauff