Our popular workshop on the power of good habits in your home school. In just an hour you will be up and running with the basic principles and practical tips of instilling good habits. Couple this workshop with the Laying Down the Rails complete reference book to get the whole picture. See full description
Charlotte Mason taught that good habits are the secret to smooth and easy days. In this live workshop Sonya will give you a simple introduction to Charlotte Mason habits. You will find out why habits are so powerful, which habits to focus on, and gain lots of practical ideas for how to cultivate those good habits that shape behavior. (Note: The audio download and the video are the same workshop.)
Quick—In an hour Sonya will walk you through the basic principles of habit training, lots of real-life examples, an overview of Charlotte Mason habits, and practical how-to’s for the top three habits.
Encouraging—Find out how cultivating good habits now will benefit both you and your child.
Practical—Learn why nagging doesn’t work and how to use effective techniques to motivate your child to develop a good habit.
Motivating—Discover The Top Three habits (attention, obedience, truthfulness) and walk away with the keys to instilling them.
Laying Down the Rails works wonderfully for group study and discussion. We’re happy to accommodate group showings of this workshop. Visit the Laying Down the Rails group video showing page for details and practical help for group leaders.
Also available in bundles
Get a bundle if you want both of the Laying Down the Rails products: the quick-start workshop and the complete book.
11 reviews for Laying Down the Rails: The Power of Good Habits Workshop
mfurnell –
Does this dvd have any visuals that would be lacking if I purchased the audio version?
Sonya –
Good question. No, I don’t recall its having any visual aids other than my hand gestures when I’m explaining something. 🙂
Diana Dellos –
Could I get the CD or DVD without the book? I always type notes while watching your DVDs. I’m a visual person, so the video holds my attention. But if it’d be better to have the book and no video, I could live with that. I’d love to have them both, but trying to save money since I just ordered the planning package.
Sonya –
Absolutely, Diana. This workshop presents the quick, practical principles of how to do habit training, no matter which habit you decide to work on. The book is the reference work that contains all sixty habits that Charlotte mentioned and what she said about each, including some extra material on breaking bad habits. Either one is helpful; you don’t have to get both to get started in habit training. Just click on the “Add to Cart” button above that is beside the audio CD or video DVD, whichever you prefer.
Sharon –
Just wondering if there could be a package offered of the ebook and the audio download together? For those of us across the ocean it would be preferable than the other packages.
Doug –
Excellent idea, Sharon. I’m not sure how we overlooked it.
My husband and I watched the dvd together. He was really impressed.
Robin Pinkham –
What is the length of the DVD please?
Jordan Smith –
The Laying Down the Rails Workshop DVD is approximately 45 minutes long.
Alicesimcox –
Are the DVD and the CD the same information?
Jordan Smith –
Yes, the DVD and CD are both the same recording.
Rated 5 out of 5
Lindsey –
Excellent! I haven’t yet invested in the books, but was so impressed with the mp3 recording and all of the clearly presented information, big picture ideas and practical suggestions packed in such a small amount of time. I also absolutely loved the “Reaching Your Child’s Heart” talk. I’m new to CM and I love what I’m hearing, but one thing that concerns me is the amount of emphasis on what this woman, Charlotte, had to say– and I mean this in the nicest possible way, because I really do treasure her wisdom. But would you say, in the day-to-day of homeschooling in this method, that there is at least a temptation to overly focus on following Charlotte, so much so that it takes away from the authority and supremacy of Christ and God’s Word? How do you balance all of this? How do you go about teaching these wonderful and important habits without losing sight of our utter dependence on Christ’s work on the cross? Any insight would be appreciated. Thank you!
Doug Smith –
Excellent question, Lindsey!
We put a lot of emphasis on what Charlotte said because we’re teaching parents how to use her methods of education. However, you probably won’t be doing the same as you use the methods with your children. For example, you may learn about the why and how of using narration based on what Charlotte did. But with your children you’ll just read and have them narrate. They don’t need all the background to do it, but the background helps you guide them in the practice.
We have a page where we explain what we at SCM believe from a faith perspective. There’s a section at the bottom titled Regarding Charlotte Mason that I think does a pretty good job of explaining the balance.
Lindsey –
I’m late in seeing this, but just wanted to say thank you Doug for your reply! Very helpful and encouraging!
Rated 5 out of 5
sudi gliebe –
Learned a lot through this video. Thank you Sonya.
Definitely want to learn more.
In your workshop you mention younger and older children.
What are the actual ages that fit into each.
My son is 5.
Thanks!
Sonya Shafer –
Some of that answer depends on the child in question. Age alone isn’t necessarily a hard-and-fast criteria. But in general, the idea of clearly outlining expectations is helpful for all ages; sitting down with a child and discussing the benefits of a habit and getting his will on your side would be appropriate for young adults in their teens approximately.
Rated 5 out of 5
sudi gliebe –
Thanks Sonya.
I learned a lot from your podcast on The 5 Homeschooling Styles.
I absolutely love your 12 podcasts on Switching to (starting a) CM homeschool.
These are so crystal clear and practical. You are a gifted communicator.
I have been overwhelmed and afraid for so long in anticipation to homeschooling.
I am learning a ton from your e-books as well.
I am already so indebted to you.
mfurnell –
Does this dvd have any visuals that would be lacking if I purchased the audio version?
Sonya –
Good question. No, I don’t recall its having any visual aids other than my hand gestures when I’m explaining something. 🙂
Diana Dellos –
Could I get the CD or DVD without the book? I always type notes while watching your DVDs. I’m a visual person, so the video holds my attention. But if it’d be better to have the book and no video, I could live with that. I’d love to have them both, but trying to save money since I just ordered the planning package.
Sonya –
Absolutely, Diana. This workshop presents the quick, practical principles of how to do habit training, no matter which habit you decide to work on. The book is the reference work that contains all sixty habits that Charlotte mentioned and what she said about each, including some extra material on breaking bad habits. Either one is helpful; you don’t have to get both to get started in habit training. Just click on the “Add to Cart” button above that is beside the audio CD or video DVD, whichever you prefer.
Sharon –
Just wondering if there could be a package offered of the ebook and the audio download together? For those of us across the ocean it would be preferable than the other packages.
Doug –
Excellent idea, Sharon. I’m not sure how we overlooked it.
We have now added that option to our Rails package deals page at http://simplycharlottemason.com/books/laying-down-rails-charlotte-mason-habits/laying-down-the-rails-package-deal/
Homeschooling6 –
My husband and I watched the dvd together. He was really impressed.
Robin Pinkham –
What is the length of the DVD please?
Jordan Smith –
The Laying Down the Rails Workshop DVD is approximately 45 minutes long.
Alicesimcox –
Are the DVD and the CD the same information?
Jordan Smith –
Yes, the DVD and CD are both the same recording.
Lindsey –
Excellent! I haven’t yet invested in the books, but was so impressed with the mp3 recording and all of the clearly presented information, big picture ideas and practical suggestions packed in such a small amount of time. I also absolutely loved the “Reaching Your Child’s Heart” talk. I’m new to CM and I love what I’m hearing, but one thing that concerns me is the amount of emphasis on what this woman, Charlotte, had to say– and I mean this in the nicest possible way, because I really do treasure her wisdom. But would you say, in the day-to-day of homeschooling in this method, that there is at least a temptation to overly focus on following Charlotte, so much so that it takes away from the authority and supremacy of Christ and God’s Word? How do you balance all of this? How do you go about teaching these wonderful and important habits without losing sight of our utter dependence on Christ’s work on the cross? Any insight would be appreciated. Thank you!
Doug Smith –
Excellent question, Lindsey!
We put a lot of emphasis on what Charlotte said because we’re teaching parents how to use her methods of education. However, you probably won’t be doing the same as you use the methods with your children. For example, you may learn about the why and how of using narration based on what Charlotte did. But with your children you’ll just read and have them narrate. They don’t need all the background to do it, but the background helps you guide them in the practice.
We have a page where we explain what we at SCM believe from a faith perspective. There’s a section at the bottom titled Regarding Charlotte Mason that I think does a pretty good job of explaining the balance.
Lindsey –
I’m late in seeing this, but just wanted to say thank you Doug for your reply! Very helpful and encouraging!
sudi gliebe –
Learned a lot through this video. Thank you Sonya.
Definitely want to learn more.
In your workshop you mention younger and older children.
What are the actual ages that fit into each.
My son is 5.
Thanks!
Sonya Shafer –
Some of that answer depends on the child in question. Age alone isn’t necessarily a hard-and-fast criteria. But in general, the idea of clearly outlining expectations is helpful for all ages; sitting down with a child and discussing the benefits of a habit and getting his will on your side would be appropriate for young adults in their teens approximately.
sudi gliebe –
Thanks Sonya.
I learned a lot from your podcast on The 5 Homeschooling Styles.
I absolutely love your 12 podcasts on Switching to (starting a) CM homeschool.
These are so crystal clear and practical. You are a gifted communicator.
I have been overwhelmed and afraid for so long in anticipation to homeschooling.
I am learning a ton from your e-books as well.
I am already so indebted to you.
Blesssings