The Early Years Links and Tips

The Bonus Features below are related to our book The Early Years.

Be sure to check back here from time to time. We will be adding new and updated resources related to the book as we get them.

Research that Supports Charlotte’s Approach to the Early Years

• An article that emphasizes the importance of giving preschool children an atmosphere full of living ideas (rather than facts to memorize) and meaningful conversation (rather than scripted lessons): The New Preschool Is Crushing Kids.
• A great article that highlights the benefits of free play and how necessary it is in the preschool years: The Decline of Play in Preschoolers.
• The University of Cambridge summarizes a study that supports delaying formal schooling until age seven in School Starting Age: The Evidence.
• This article cites the study about the two groups of children who were introduced to the same toy, which is mentioned in our Early Years workshop presentation.
• This article cites a study by Standford that found strong evidence of mental health benefits in kindergarteners who wait a year to enroll in school.

More on the Chief Duty of Parents

• Masterly Inactivity—Practical, short articles that demonstrate the prerequisites and benefits of “wise letting alone.”
• Education Is—An easy-to-read introduction to the three components of a Charlotte Mason education.

Links that go with Proper Physical Care

• Swedish Drill Teacher—If you’re curious what Swedish Drill was like, this book will give you the concepts and illustrations.
• Swedish Drill article—Here is a short overview to give you an idea of Swedish Drill.

Help with Habit Training

• Laying Down the Rails workshop—The quick-start workshop that gives you the main principles of habit training, as well as many practical how-to’s.
• Laying Down the Rails book—The complete reference book that presents and organizes the 50+ habits that Charlotte Mason wrote about, including her tips on replacing bad habits with good habits.
• Habits forum—Chat with other moms who are seeking to instill good habits in their children.

More about a Personal Acquaintance with Nature

• Hours in the Out-of-Doors—Learn more about nature study by reading Charlotte’s comments organized by topic and presented in easy-to-read chapters.
• Ann Pratt’s “Wild Flowers” book—The nature book that Charlotte recommended (see page 74) as an example of a good field guide.

More Information on Froebel and His Kindergarten

• The Original Kindergarten—Learn more about the type of environment Froebel originally had in mind for preschoolers and see samples of some of Froebel’s Gifts.