Are you considering a classical education approach for your homeschooling journey but feeling overwhelmed by where to begin? You’re not alone. Classical education, with its focus on developing critical thinking skills through the study of traditional liberal arts and sciences, can seem daunting to parents without prior experience. While the benefits of classical education are numerous, including improved analytical skills and a deeper understanding of Western civilization, getting started can be challenging. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of accessible classical education resources to help you dip your toes into the classical education approach without feeling overwhelmed. Let’s explore some of the best resources for parents new to classical education.
Brilliant Books
“A Classical Education: The Stuff You Wish You’d Been Taught at School” offers parents a humorous and engaging introduction to essential topics like Greek mythology, philosophy, significant scientific advances from ancient times, and classical art. Reviewers praise its engaging style, bringing life to classical topics and turning dry facts into laugh-out-loud moments. It’s an accessible introduction to classical education content. If you want a book that will give you a good subject knowledge foundation before adopting this approach with your child, this is where I’d start.
Julie Bogart’s “Raising Critical Thinkers” is a game-changer for parents navigating the digital age. It’s packed with practical activities that turn everyday moments into opportunities for developing critical thinking skills. As a mum, I love how Bogart encourages us to foster curiosity and open-mindedness in our kids, rather than just feeding them answers. For parents raising children, of all ages, in our digital world.
This book makes complex ideas fun and relatable, sparking lively discussions between kids and adults. It’s an ideal, accessible classical education resource, nurturing critical thinking skills and introducing timeless concepts that shape our understanding of the world. You will be introduced to leading figures of philosophy from around the world from all eras, and there are chapters teaching crucial lessons about life, love, and loss. Topics such as ‘Why you feel lonely’, ‘Politeness matters’, ‘People are unhappy not mean’, and ‘The mind-body problem’ offer invaluable insights into philosophy in a way that our children can really get on board with. Age 9+
“Greeking Out” books and podcasts offer a fresh, engaging take on classic Greek myths, blending humour with educational content. These lively retellings introduce young minds to important mythological characters and stories, fostering critical thinking and cultural literacy while providing an entertaining foundation for further exploration of ancient history and literature. Ages 7-12.
I recently picked up “Greek Myths for Little Children” by Rosie Dickins, and it has quickly become a favourite in our home. The engaging storytelling and beautiful illustrations make the classic tales so accessible for young readers. Meet foolish King Midas, the wise goddess Athena and the musician Arion, find out what was inside Pandora’s box and discover how the hero Heracles cleaned some VERY smelly stables. Ages 3-6.
I found “You Wouldn’t Want to Live Without Democracy!” by Anne Rooney and David Antram to be an engaging introduction to democracy for kids. The book’s humorous illustrations and witty text make complex concepts accessible and entertaining. It sparked great discussions about voting, rights, and government and looks at democracy’s origins. While it simplifies some ideas, it’s a fantastic starting point for teaching kids about democracy’s importance. The book’s light-hearted approach keeps kids interested while sneaking in valuable lessons about civic responsibility. Ages 7-15.
Wonderful Websites
Critikid – Critical Thinking for Kids Online critical thinking challenges and online courses aimed at Primary and Secondary age learners. This site takes classical ideas around logical and critical thinking and applies it to modern day contexts. If you scroll right to the bottom of the page, there is also a Logical Fallacy Handbook which is a simple guide for adults on the terminology you child will encounter through the courses, so you can learn it first and support. Well worth a look. Ages 6-18.
Philosophy for Children is a resource hub for educators who want children ages 5-18 to think for themselves through philosophical dialogue with others. Membership is inexpensive (around £35 per year at the time of writing) and all materials are downloadable. Some activities are quick, dinner table style discussion and others are full lesson length that your child could really dig into for a half-day session. These resources are designed to be used in a group, so especially beneficial if you work in a collective with other families – differing perspectives make for much richer discussion – but you could also make it work within your family (with parents playing Devil’s advocate if your thinking is already aligned).
BBC Bitesize has a great module on writing persuasive texts for ages 7-11. For those age 11+, you still might want to start with the Bitesize tutorials, but then extend their learning to look specifically at logos, pathos and ethos. Logos, pathos, and ethos are three persuasive techniques that help children learn to communicate effectively: logos uses facts and logic, pathos appeals to emotions, and ethos relies on credibility or trustworthiness of the speaker. Storyboardthat is a good, teen-friendly, introduction.
I really encourage you to check out these accessible classical education resources with your kids. Please let me know, in the comments, how you got on if you’ve tried any of these with your family!