August 28, 2025

How to Add Charlotte Mason Beauty Subjects to Your Morning Time

Morning time is meant to be a gentle start to the day, but sometimes it can feel overwhelming trying to fit in everything you want: Bible, music, poetry, nature study, art… and still get to math! Charlotte Mason called these the “beauty subjects”—the practices that bring truth, goodness, and beauty into our homes. But they don’t have to be complicated.

That’s why I created a 12-week Fall Nature Study feast, with all of these elements woven together in simple, open-and-go plans. And I’m giving you the first week for free so you can try it in your homeschool.

What Are Beauty Subjects?

Beauty subjects refer to the enriching subjects that cultivate a sense of wonder, deepen appreciation for art and nature, and train attention and habits of observation. Charlotte Mason considered these just as important as academic subjects and are typically included during a “Morning Time” or “The Riches” portion of the day. They can include the following subjects:

Nature Study
Picture Study (Art Appreciation)
Composer Study (Music Appreciation)
Poetry
Hymn Study
Folk Songs or Patriotic Songs
Handicrafts
Recitation

Why Beauty Subjects Matter

In Charlotte Mason’s philosophy, education is not about cramming information into a child, but rather spreading a wide and generous feast of ideas – just like you would a nourishing meal. Every child deserves access to truth, goodness, and beauty across many subjects. The idea is that each subject offers a different nourishment to the mind and spirit. Not every child will love every subject, but something will speak to them deeply! These beauty subjects are vital to forming a whole, well-rounded human being.

Generally, all subjects can be done together as a family lesson. This is great for cultivating the family bond and creating memories of wonder together. Beauty subjects form the soul, not just the mind. Virtue, character, and spiritual understanding are taught in ways a textbook never could.

“We are not education to make a living, but to make a life” – Charlotte Mason

In addition to filling the soul, they teach kids to slow down, train attention, wonder, and reverence. Culture and connection are brought into their worlds through connection across time and places. Subjects such as handicrafts or drawing teach children patience, precision, and joy in the process. Things that are often not thought of in the hustle of the modern world.

How to Keep it Simple

One of the most common reasons families skip beauty subjects is that they think it takes too much time. But Charlotte Mason encouraged short lessons, gentle exposure, and consistent habits, not elaborate prep or hours of study. Here are a few ways to make it work without overwhelm:

1. Rotate Instead of Overloading
You don’t have to do every subject every day. Try choosing one focus per day (for example, composer study on Monday, artist study on Tuesday, poetry on Wednesday), and cycle through them over the week. This keeps lessons short and fresh.

2. Anchor to a Weekly Theme
Choose one seasonal nature theme for the week—like apples, autumn leaves, or woodland animals—and let it guide your beauty subjects. Read a living book on the topic, choose a related hymn or poem, and notice that theme on your nature walk. Suddenly, everything feels connected.

3. Short, Sweet Lessons
A five-minute hymn, a short poem read twice, or one painting studied quietly is enough. The goal isn’t mastery—it’s exposure and delight. Over time, the repetition builds familiarity.

4. Use What You Already Have
Don’t feel pressured to buy a dozen new resources. A few core books like Handbook of Nature Study and Nature Anatomy, plus a Bible, a hymnal (or YouTube for recordings), and your nature journal, are more than enough.

5. Create a Weekly Ritual
Try setting aside one morning for a “Poetry Tea Time” where you bring all the beauty subjects together—read the week’s poem, listen to your composer piece, look at an artist’s painting, and enjoy a small treat. This anchors the week and keeps it memorable. This is how my family will be bringing beauty subjects to life this year!

Bringing Beauty Into Your Mornings

Adding Charlotte Mason beauty subjects doesn’t have to be complicated. With short, simple lessons and a weekly rhythm, you can create a rich and memorable morning time that nurtures both faith and curiosity.

If you’d like a little help getting started, I’ve created a 12-week Fall Nature Study that weaves together hymns, folk songs, poetry, art, music, living books, and seasonal nature themes. It’s open-and-go, adaptable for younger kids, and perfect for morning time.

And the best part? You can try the first week (Apples) completely free.