Charlotte Mason’s List of Attainments for a Child of the age of 6: A Living Childhood: Reciting a Parable and a Psalm

Charlotte Mason’s second attainment for a child under six invites us into something simple, sweet, and is so deeply important to the spiritual formation of a child: the recitation of Scripture. To “recite, perfectly and beautifully” a parable and a psalm is not about precociousness. It is about forming a relationship with God’s Word, truly learning it by heart, so it can rest in the child’s soul. This practice from the early years firmly sets our children’s hearts to meditate on the words of the Lord.

Why Recitation Matters

Recitation is an art which all children should be trained in. Charlotte Mason believed that a child should not just repeat the words they’re hearing but speak them “beautifully, with clear enunciation, and with feeling appropriate to the sense.” In the early years, this habit of attention and beauty forms naturally through short, happy lessons.

Recitation strengthens memory, trains the ear for language, and helps a child develop confidence in speech. When the chosen words are Scripture, it also nourishes spiritual life, providing truth to ponder and pray over.

How to Begin

1. Choose short, rich passages.
   For a psalm, begin with Psalm 23, Psalm 100, or Psalm 8. For a parable, the Good Samaritan or the Lost Sheep are excellent choices.

2. Read aloud often.
   Let your child hear you read the passage clearly and slowly. Read it at breakfast, during morning time, or before bed. Young children absorb language long before they can reproduce it.

3. Learn in small portions.
   A few lines a week is enough. The goal is gradual familiarity, not speed. Repeat phrases throughout the day.

4. Use natural memory aids.

   • Turn the psalm into a call-and-response: you say one line, your child says the next.

   • Add gentle hand motions for key words (shepherd, path, cup).

   • Create a simple illustrated booklet of the psalm or parable, letting your child draw what each verse means to them.

5. Practice beauty.
   Once memorized, help your child speak clearly and with meaning. Say, “Let’s tell it as if we are sharing something important with someone else.” This builds both reverence and skill.

Games and Creative Ideas

• “Whisper and Echo” Game: Whisper one line from the psalm; your child echoes it in a normal voice. This trains careful listening and clear repetition.

• “Story Stones” for Parables: Paint or draw small stones with simple symbols, things like sheep, coin, house, lamp, or people. Use them to retell the parable in order.

• Nature Connection: As you walk outside, talk about phrases from Psalm 23. “He makes me lie down in green pastures”, what might that look like here?

Recommended Resources

• The Golden Children’s Bible (Golden Press) — a classic retelling with reverent tone and beautiful illustrations.

• The Psalms for Young Children by Marie-Hélène Delval — gentle language that still preserves the heart of the Psalms.

• Audio recordings from Seeds Family Worship or Slugs and Bugs can help children internalize Scripture through song.

The Mother’s Part

In the early years, the mother’s tone and attitude matter more than the method. The goal is to treasure words that shape the heart. If you approach Scripture with warmth and familiarity, your child will too.

A short daily reading, a few joyful repetitions, and the habit of speaking beautifully, these small steps will lead to the quiet fruit Mason envisioned: a child who knows and loves truth.