Printable “For a Child” Poem for Homeschoolers!
You shall not wear velvet,
Nor silken broidery.
But brown things, and straight things,
That leave your body free.
You shall not have playthings
That men have wrought for gold,
But shells and stones and sea-weeds,
And nuts by squirrels sold.
Your friends shall be the tall wind,
The river, and the tree;–
The sun that laughs and marches;
The swallows, and the sea.
Your prayers shall be the whisper
Of grasses in the rain;
The song of wild wood-thrushes
That make God glad again.
And you shall run and wander,
And you shall dream and sing
Of brave things and bright things
Beyond the swallow’s wing.
And you shall envy no man,
Nor hurt your heart with sighs,
For I will keep you simple
That God may make you wise!
~ Fannie Stearns Davis ~
This poem, for me, epitomizes why we homeschool. I found a version of it in Favorite Poems Old and New several years ago just before we began our son’s kindergarten year. He memorized that version of it that year, his sister memorized it when it was her turn, and I have included it in the kindergarten curriculum every year since. It contains characteristics of, what I feel, is a Charlotte Mason education and a Charlotte Mason childhood. It paints a picture of freedom and a growing love of nature.
You can find this high-resolution print, available either as a PDF download or professionally printed and shipped to you, in the shop!
