Charlotte Mason List of Attainments for a Child of the Age of 6: To Recite, Beautifully: Six Easy Poems and Hymns in the Charlotte Mason Early Years
In Charlotte Mason’s Formidable List of Attainments for a Child of Six, the very first goal reads, “To recite, beautifully, six easy poems and hymns.” It seems a simple thing, doesn’t it? A small child, a handful of lovely words, and a bit of daily practice. Yet within this humble attainment lies a whole philosophy of education.
When we think of recitation today, we might picture rote memorization or performance—but Mason’s understanding was far richer. To recite beautifully meant that the child had entered into the spirit of the words. The poem or hymn had become a part of them, shaping their sense of beauty, language, and truth.
Why Recitation Matters
Young children are natural imitators. They love rhythm, melody, and repetition. Their little voices repeat nursery rhymes and song lyrics effortlessly. Recitation takes this natural delight and gives it form and purpose. In learning poems and hymns, a child’s ear is trained for language, their memory is gently exercised, and their affections are lifted toward what is good and beautiful.
But Mason reminds us, it must be beautifully done. Not rushed or mechanical, but slow, careful, and full of meaning. A mother might say, “Let’s speak it as if we love it,” and the child learns that words can be an art form, a way of giving beauty to others.
Beginning with Six
Six is such a gracious number—just enough to give the child a sense of accomplishment without burden. In the early years, a small collection of well-chosen pieces will do more than a large one hurried through. Choose poems that sparkle with simplicity and hymns that can be sung together throughout the day.
Hymns
Jesus Loves Me – A tender truth for the smallest hearts.
All Things Bright and Beautiful – A hymn of wonder for nature walks and sunny mornings.
This Is My Father’s World – A reminder that beauty and order belong to God.
Poems
The Swing by Robert Louis Stevenson – The joy of motion and air.
The Lamb by William Blake – Gentle theology in poetic form.
Rain by Robert Louis Stevenson – Observing the simple, lovely rhythms of weather.
Making Recitation a Living Practice
In the home, recitation can be woven naturally into the rhythm of the day. A hymn after breakfast, a poem before rest time, or a few verses whispered on a walk. The key is not performance, but relationship—between the child and the words, between the mother and the child.
Invite beauty into the atmosphere. Read slowly, clearly, and with feeling. Let the words rest in the air. Children often surprise us by how deeply they absorb language and how readily they remember what they love.
A Foundation of Beauty
To recite beautifully is to begin a lifelong conversation with truth and beauty. These early years of poetry and song prepare the soil for all that will grow later—literature, scripture, and prayer. It is not merely about memory, but about giving a child a storehouse of beautiful words to carry through life.
Six poems and hymns may not seem much. But if spoken with love and attention, they become treasures—a first step into a wide and wonderful world of language, thought, and worship.
How to Begin Recitation at Home
1. Choose one piece at a time.
Start with a short hymn or poem your child naturally enjoys. Let love lead the way—delight, not duty.
2. Read together daily.
A few lines each day is enough. Read clearly and with expression; your child will naturally imitate your tone and pacing.
3. Celebrate progress.
When your child can recite a poem or hymn, share it with a sibling, grandparent, or during family time. Let them feel the joy of giving beauty away.
