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    Educational Philosophy, Home Education

    31 Days of Charlotte Mason: Habit Formation 101 (Day 9)

    October 9, 2013 by Brandy Vencel

    Today we’re going to try and talk about the practical side of habit formation, or how it is actually done. First and foremost, let me caution you that habits are best formed one at a time. Think about how overwhelmed you’d be if you tried to overhaul your entire life in one day. It is the same for children. Pick one thing and work on it together, and pick another thing only when the first habit is completely solidified.

    Before I go further, can I just take a moment to tell you moms of very young children that you have a chance to do what Miss Mason called keeping watch at the letting out of waters? In other words, you have a chance to stop bad habits before they start. If there is something that would be a bad habit, you can simply not allow it before it gets to that point. I know some children are more determined that others, but as a general rule it is really helpful to have this perspective instead of thinking something is a “stage” out of which the child will grow.

    Let me tell you: children really will lie, throw tantrums (or other objects) and generally do whatever strikes their fancy unless you teach them otherwise. That is why God gave them parents.

    I mean: did you ever read Lord of the Flies? Crazy!

    Ahem.

    So. The most detailed post I’ve ever written on this subject is: Habit is Ten Natures (Part II). I’ll paste the actual steps here, but you’ll want to read the whole thing.

    The official Charlotte Mason steps to habit formation (which are used to break bad habits and replace them with good) are fairly simple:
    (1) Commit ourselves to the time and energy required for the task. Do not begin until we are committed.
    (2) Pray for strength and perseverance.
    (3) Talk with the child; form a mother-child team determined to acquire the good habit.
    (4) Don’t allow the old bad habit, or expect the new good habit.
    (5) Remind the child as needed, in a way that keeps mother and child on the same team.
    (6) Challenge the child to excel, if appropriate.
    (7) Permit NO reversion.
    (8) Guard the habit.

    I don’t think I need to write a new post about this because I’ve already written about the subject so many times. So here are some links here on the blog (and beyond!) to get you started on the nitty gritty of habit formation:


    Click here to go to the 31 Days of Charlotte Mason series directory.

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    8 Comments

  • Reply More Important Than Intelligence (Charlotte Mason and Gifted Kids) | Afterthoughts October 4, 2019 at 1:53 am

    […] Charlotte Mason talks about habit training, growing minds with ideas, building relationships, and training the will (among other things), all […]

  • Reply 31 Days of Charlotte Mason: Resistant Learners — Will CM Still Work for Them? by Laurke | Afterthoughts August 28, 2019 at 11:46 am

    […] be incidental as the result of the child’s curiosity and questions. The exception would be habit training, which should be purposeful. Those first six years are vital to nurturing the child, training in […]

  • Reply Katie August 30, 2017 at 1:34 pm

    Do you happen to have a preview of the 31 days of Charlotte Mason? I am not sure if it is what I am looking for and would like to check it out before I purchase it.

    I am really enjoying your blog. I am totally new to the idea of homeschooling- I used to be a public school teacher, yikes!

    Thank you for your insight! 🙂

    • Reply Brandy Vencel August 31, 2017 at 11:54 am

      Hi Katie!

      Actually, 31 Days of CM is FREE! 🙂 Just click here and you’ll find the Table of Contents for the whole series. 🙂

  • Reply Crystin August 28, 2017 at 4:54 pm

    Thank you!
    You’re such a blessing to me, in my own education, as I educate other mothers. <3

  • Reply Crystin August 26, 2017 at 11:38 am

    Hi, Brandy!
    May I use this outline of steps in a training I am giving on habit formation at my next retreat? I will, of course, give you credit. (And, send people to your blog!)

  • Reply Nicole @ PositivelyAutism.com October 30, 2013 at 6:26 pm

    Thanks for posting this great series! I have read “Smooth and Easy Days” and thought it was helpful.

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