Even though Charlotte Mason’s first volume – Home Education – is subtitled “The Education of Children under Nine Years of Age” this volume lays the groundwork for the entire philosophy. Some information, such as the care of young, preschool aged children, is not necessary for understanding her philosophy.
Miss Mason wrote in the Preface to the Home Education Series these words – “The treatment is not methodic, but incidental; here a little, there a little, as seemed to me most likely to meet the occasions of parents and teachers.” Even though we would probably desire everything laid out in a neat, ordered fashion, the information presented in these volumes should be read in its entirety to gain a full understanding of what she was presenting.
In her preface to volume 1 we read: “The particular object of this volume, … is to show the bearing of the physiology of habit upon education; why certain physical, intellectual, and moral habits are a valuable asset to a child, and what may be done towards the formation of such habits.” These habits are a necessary part of the philosophy no matter the age of the student (even us adults!).
I do believe that anyone who wants to understand and put into practice Charlotte Mason’s philosophy will benefit from reading volume 1.