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Lower School Philosophy

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Stonehaven's Lower School academic program esteems the following idea:
Education must be designed to teach with the grain of a child.

What exactly do we mean by teaching "with the grain" of a child? Teaching and instructing with the grain, or nature, of a child helps them to understand and love the nature of God’s world and His Word. Although it is tempting to think first of a particular curriculum or unique subjects like Latin, logic, or rhetoric when defining classical Christian education, such definitions limit its grand scope and vision. It cannot just be reduced to a systematic checklist of curriculum targets. The common core approach equates checking the boxes on a long list of academic objectives with the completion of a child’s education. But an education that denies the existence of God struggles to teach in harmony with the created order of things. In the classical Christian model, teaching the truth, beauty, and goodness found in all of God’s creation and history enriches and educates with the grain of the child, in all grades and subject areas, and so instills in them the love of learning.

Teaching Philosophy

Memorization

It is universally recognized that young children have a unique capacity for memorizing information. This window of opportunity is limited in our children, and schools fail when they don't leverage these years to equip their students with significant information and the intellectual framework to organize all that they are learning in order to prepare for the future. Philosopher Dorothy Sayers provides beautiful words to describe the nature of schooling for children at this age: "At this age one readily memorises the shapes and appearances of things; one likes to recite the number-plates of cars; one rejoices in the chanting of rhymes and the rumble and thunder of unintelligible polysyllables; one enjoys the mere accumulation of things." The methodological approach in the grammar school uses a plethora of creative tools (singing, chanting, jingles, movement, role play, recitation, etc.) to help make memorization accessible and enjoyable to children at Stonehaven.

Observation

Eighteenth century educator Charlotte Mason argues that, "An observant child should be put in the way of things worth observing." We are living in a culture that invariably resists slowing down, listening patiently, and reverently observing God's creation. It is essential that we nurture in our children a capacity to observe and focus on things, ideas, and people. Amidst a world of constant distractions, God's people struggle to sit down in a quiet place and read literature for an extended period of time. The academic program at Stonehaven places a child in the place of an observer where they are challenged to recognize the marvelous detail of an ant or the beauty of a poem and so begin to understand God’s work in nature or the wonder of words. The goal of a classical Christian education is to prepare a child to think carefully about the complex problems of our world and how to sustain their Christian identity. This begins with thoughtful observation.

Habit Formation

Every school is busy in the work of forming habits, either forming in their children the acquisition of poor habits or good habits. Aristotle said, "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." Children at Stonehaven are taught the importance of respectful eye contact, the impact of a pleasant greeting, and the value of good manners at the lunch table. These habits are leaving an impression on the hearts and minds of our children and their conception of a good and godly life. In the younger years, habits are formed. Later, these are fully embraced and appreciated as they mature into adults. The question is not whether or not a school is developing habits in their students; it is a question of whether or not they are helping form virtuous habits in their students.