Charlotte Mason vs Waldorf: Which Fits Your Family Best?

Many homeschoolers are drawn to the holistic and natural ways of teaching that the Charlotte Mason method and Waldorf method offer. But what are the main differences between these two methods? How do they approach learning, curriculum, and child development? Let’s explore Charlotte Mason vs Waldorf and discover their strengths and weaknesses.
Choosing the right homeschooling method for your family is one of the most important things you can do for your children. When my family first started homeschooling, we struggled to find a method that worked well for all of our children. There is a lot of trial and error involved.
When considering a homeschool style, it’s important to think about your child’s individual needs, learning style, and home environment to find the best fit for your own homeschool. Two very popular homeschooling styles, that I am going to give you all the details on, are the Charlotte Mason method and the Waldorf method of teaching.
The Charlotte Mason approach emphasizes nature study, living books, and narration, while the Waldorf approach emphasizes a holistic approach(or whole child approach) to creativity, nature, and child development.
I am going to compare and contrast these two methods, including their advantages and disadvantages, and also explore which method might be better for big-family homeschooling. I will even give some fun tips and ideas to incorporate both methods into your homeschooling schedule if that is something you are interested in.
If you are struggling to find the right homeschooling method for your family, keep reading!
Also, if you are considering the Montessori approach, developed by Maria Montessori, and its emphasis on independent learning, I highly recommend reading this post comparing the Charlotte Mason philosophy with the Montessori method, next.
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Charlotte Mason’s Methods for Homeschooling

The Charlotte Mason method is a popular homeschooling approach that emphasizes teaching the whole child through a feast of subjects. It is more of a liberal education and very similar to a classical education.
There is a strong emphasis on nature and outdoor activities, as well as the use of living books and classic literature instead of textbooks.
In a Charlotte Mason curriculum, lessons are intentionally kept short, typically lasting 10 to 20 minutes and covering a variety of core subjects such as literature, math, history, and science. Following these brief lessons, children are encouraged to engage in narration, where they retell what they’ve learned through verbal storytelling, written summaries, or drawings, depending on your child’s age and level. This helps to develop their ability to focus, their comprehension skills, and their language skills.
In my homeschool, I have come to find that the Charlotte Mason method works wonderfully for our family and is the perfect fit. It enables us to weave nature walks and outdoor adventures into our daily schedule while nurturing my children’s love for the outdoors. Additionally, the captivating living books we use have kept my boys not just engaged, but truly excited about learning.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Charlotte Mason Homeschooling
Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of the Charlotte Mason method that I have found.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Pros and Cons of Big Family Homeschooling using a Charlotte Mason Education
If you have a big family, like mine, the Charlotte Mason approach is a great choice because it allows me to teach all of my children together for many of our subjects, which is a huge bonus. Here are some other pros and cons that I have discovered.
Pros:
Cons:
Overall, the Charlotte Mason method is a great option for families who value nature, literature, and independence in learning, while still looking for a well-rounded education.
Waldorf Homeschooling Method

The Waldorf method is another very popular homeschooling educational philosophy. It is one that I have always found very intriguing.
The Waldorf philosophy of education is based on the educational philosophy of Rudolf Steiner. Waldorf education nurtures a child’s imagination through storytelling, fairy tales, imaginative play, and hands-on creative crafts.
The Waldorf education utilizes a main lesson block structure, where students study a single subject for several weeks. This approach integrates most of your homeschooling subjects into a single theme to encourage creative and hands-on learning and also aligns with your student’s developmental stages. This helps to create a complete understanding of their current curriculum.
It seems to me that the Waldorf method is a really great fit for children who love a lot of imaginative play, movement, and hands-on activities.
Advantages and Disadvantages of a Waldorf Education
While I was never able to make the Waldorf method work in my own homeschool past the preschool and kindergarten level, I know that there are plenty of homeschooling families that do. There are a lot of advantages and disadvantages to this approach as well.
Waldorf Teaching Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Pros and Cons of Big Family Homeschooling with the Waldorf Method
Let’s look at some pros and cons of using the Waldorf homeschooling method with a big family.
Pros:
Cons:
Charlotte Mason vs. Waldorf Method Homeschooling

Both Waldorf and Charlotte Mason homeschooling methods offer unique approaches to education, focusing on holistic development and a deep connection with nature, yet they differ in their methods of implementation and educational philosophies. Let’s look at more of the similarities and differences now.
Similarities:
Differences:
While the main differences are the approaches to education there is certainly quite a bit of overlap in the areas that matter most. That is why I love both of these methods so much.
Which Method is Better for Homeschooling a Big Family?

We have already touched on this briefly but let’s take a closer look at both methods. Choosing the best homeschooling method for a big family can be tricky because naturally what works for one family may or may not work for another. It really depends on things like your kids’ needs and interests, your own teaching style, and in the end what’s important to your family.
The Charlotte Mason and Waldorf methods can both work really well for a large family once you know how your own homeschool works.
If your family likes structure and routine, the Charlotte Mason method might be a better choice. It focuses on short lessons and narration and can be customized to fit each child’s needs. However, it can be tough to keep all your kids engaged and interested, especially if they have different ways of learning.
On the other hand, if your family values creativity and imagination, the Waldorf method might be a better fit. It emphasizes things like arts and crafts, imaginative play, and hands-on learning and is a great fit for families with a lot of young children.
The most important thing is to find a homeschooling method that works for your size family.
You might have to try a few different things before you find the right fit. I have found that being flexible and willing to adjust our approach has been really important. So don’t be afraid to experiment and make changes until you find what works best in your homeschool.
How to Add Waldorf and Charlotte Mason into Your Homeschool Day

There are so many good things to both approaches, that you may want to include a little bit of both methods into your homeschool. Here are some ideas to help you get the best of both worlds.
As you can see, both the Charlotte Mason and Waldorf methods offer unique advantages and disadvantages when it comes to homeschooling. They share similarities such as a focus on nature, creativity, and the development of the whole child. However, they differ in areas such as structure, academic subjects, and age-appropriateness.
Conclusion
When choosing a homeschooling method for your family, it’s important to consider your family’s needs and priorities and to be willing to adapt and adjust your approach as needed. I strongly recommend trying out different methods and resources until you find what works best for your family. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and support from other homeschooling families, including me- I am always just an email away.
Remember that the most important thing is to provide your children with a quality education that meets their needs and helps them to reach their full potential.
Ready to explore more about Charlotte Mason-inspired lessons and tips? Click here for in-depth articles on everything you need to know to homeschool!