Plumfield Academy Family Interview Talking Points
Knowledge of God
"Of the three sorts of knowledge proper to a child, the knowledge of God, of man, and of the universe, - the knowledge of God ranks first in importance, is indispensable and makes for greatest happiness."
A Philosophy of Education, p. 58.
"We should allow no separation to grow up between the intellectual and 'spiritual' life of children; but should teach them that the divine Spirit has constant access to their spirits, and is their continual helper in all the interests, duties, and joys of life."
A Philosophy of Education, p. xxix.
One time I experienced God working in our family, in my life is . . .
Character
"They were all incapable of steady effort, because they had no strength of will, no power to make themselves do that which they knew they ought to do. Here, no doubt, come in the functions of the parents and teachers; they should be able to make the child do that which he lacks the power to compel himself to do. But it is poor training that should keep the child dependent upon personal influence. It is the business of education to find some way of supplementing that weakness of will which is the bane of most of us, as of the children."
Home Education, pp. 98-100.
Three words which come to mind when I think about my child are . . .
The most important character quality(ies)/value(s) I have fostered in my behavior and by example sought to elicit in my child (family) is (are) . . .
Character quality(ies)/value(s) I would like to foster in my behavior and by example elicit in my child (family) is (are) . . .
Attention
". . . no intellectual habit is so valuable as that of attention; it is a mere habit but it is also the hall-mark of an educated person."
A Philosophy of Education, p. 99.
Did your child enjoy being read to? Does he/she enjoy a story? When my child is bored, what he/she finds to do is . . . Some things my child initiates are . . . Constructive things my child does are . . .
Habit
"We have lost sight of the fact that habit is to life what rails are to transport cars. It follows that lines of habit must be laid down towards given ends and after careful survey, or the joltings and delays of life become unsupportable. More, habit is inevitable. If we fail to ease life by laying down habits of right thinking and right acting, habits of wrong thinking and wrong acting fix themselves of their own accord."
A Philosophy of Education, p. 101.
As I look at my life and my child’s life, I notice the habits we have which seem to help us grow as individuals and as a family are . . .
As I look at my life and my child’s life, I notice the habits we have which seem to block our growth as individuals and as a family are . . .
As I look at my life and my child’s life, I notice the habits which seem most "entrenched" are . . .
Mind food
"Surely we can say: The child s not made for education, but education is to serve the child, serve his personality, his life, his needs."
For the Children’s Sake, p. 82.
"Education is a life. That life is sustained on ideas. Ideas are of spiritual origin, and God has made us so that we get them chiefly as we convey them to one another, whether by word of mouth, written page, Scripture word, musical symphony; but we must sustain a child’s inner life with ideas as we sustain his body with food."
A Philosophy of Education, p. 109.
"Consider for a moment what we plan to offer to the child. We know that when we feed his physical body, it is important that we do not give him only calories. For proper growth, the body needs a balanced diet, providing protein, vitamins, fiber, etc. And yet, this child is often spiritually and mentally a\starved. This is another reason why certain children are driven to strange and unnatural behavior. They have been deprived of the life which is their heritage."
For the Children’s Sake, p. 82-83.
The genres, styles, and types of TV shows and movies I enjoy are . . .
The genres, styles, and types of TV shows and movies my child enjoys are . . .
The genres, styles, and types of video games I enjoy are . . .
The genres, styles, and types of video games my child enjoys are . . .
Great books
"The best thought the world possesses is stored in books; we must open books to children, the best books; our own concern is abundant and orderly serving."
A Philosophy of Education, p. 26.
". . .children's lessons should provide material for their mental growth, should exercise the several powers of their minds, should furnish them with fruitful ideas and should afford them with knowledge, really valuable for its own sake, accurate, and interesting, of the kind that the child may recall as a man with profit and pleasure."
Home Education, pp. 176-177.
The genres, styles, types of books I enjoy are . . .
The genres, styles, types of books my child reads are . . .
Parents rejoice!
"Let me list a few successes we parents rejoice in when our children manage to produce them: Child X has a habit of attention; he concentrates well. He applies himself to whatever task is at hand, to the best of his ability. He thinks for himself, and has a rich creative imagination. He remembers what he has read or heard. He achieves a good standard in his work. He is obedient and careful. He is truthful. He respects others, and enjoys his own life with cheerful enthusiasm."
For the Children’s Sake, p. 75
I enjoy spending time with my child . . . frequently, seldom, never
My child enjoys spending time with me . . . frequently, seldom, never
Some things we do together are . . .
I would like my child to attend Plumfield because . . .
Some positive contributions my child will bring to Plumfield are . . .
Realizing that no child is perfect, the issues I think Plumfield will have to confront with my child, socially/academically/emotionally are . . .
A Philosophy of Education and Home Education, by Charlotte M. Mason, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1989.
For the Children's Sake, by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay, Crossway Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1984.
