CCA

“The formation of habits is education, and education is the formation of habits,” (Home Education, page 97) penned Charlotte Mason. She wrote on: “How habit in the hands of the mother, is as the wheel to the potter…. The material is there to begin with, his wheel will not enable the potter to produce a porcelain cup out of coarse clay; but the instrument is as necessary as the material or the design.” Habit is the lever to lift a child contrary to his or her nature. Many a child comes into the classroom trained in careful habits of attending faithfully, waiting patiently, writing neatly, working carefully, acting responsibly, etc. And on the contrary, many a child comes in trained in discourteous ways or left to wallow in his nature by disrupting continually, working carelessly, behaving rudely, acting irresponsibly, etc. It is a rare person who would purposefully train a child in discourteous ways. But, children are often left “to their own nature” in hopes of growing “out of it” or provided the excuse of youth, personality, or individuality. However, Miss Mason was adamant concerning the aspect of training in godly habits, and went as far as to say that almost anything could be accomplished through correct, consistent and godly training.

by Jack Beckman