Narration is a Charlotte Mason teaching method where students retell or 'tell back' what they've heard or read, beginning with oral narration around age 6 and progressing to written narration around age 10.
What is Narration?
Narration is the practice of retelling content in one's own words, a cornerstone technique in Charlotte Mason education. The method traces back to ancient Greek and Roman education before Charlotte Mason revived it in the late 1800s. Mason's famous statement captures the approach: 'If you cannot tell, you do not know.' Rather than answering comprehension questions or completing worksheets, students process and demonstrate understanding by narrating back what they've learned.
Key Takeaways
- Oral narration begins around age 6; written narration around age 10
- Works across subjects: history, science, Bible, literature
- Replaces comprehension worksheets with deeper processing
- Builds foundation for composition without formal writing instruction
- Children narrate after one reading only, no re-reading allowed
How Narration Works
Oral to Written Progression
Young children narrate orally for several years before adding written narration around fourth grade. This extended oral practice develops the thinking and organization skills that make writing possible. When written narration begins, it doesn't replace oral narration - both continue together. High schoolers still narrate orally even as they produce more sophisticated written compositions. The years of oral narration create writers who can organize thoughts before putting pencil to paper.
Creative Variations
Not every child takes naturally to verbal narration. Drawing a scene, acting it out, building it with blocks, or using puppets to retell all count as narration. Charlotte Mason herself noted that photographs could substitute for drawings when children resist sketching. The goal is processing and demonstrating knowledge, which can happen through multiple modalities. Reluctant narrators often engage when offered variety.
Why This Works
Narration forces active engagement with content. Passive listening or reading doesn't require organizing information in one's mind. Narration does. The child must identify what matters, sequence events, recall details, and express ideas coherently. These skills transfer directly to written composition, oral presentations, and adult communication tasks like summarizing meetings or explaining processes to others.
The Bottom Line
Narration provides more effective comprehension practice than worksheets while simultaneously building skills needed for writing and communication. The simplicity is deceiving: asking 'tell me what you remember' requires nothing from the parent but transforms how children engage with learning. For families exploring Charlotte Mason education, narration is the single practice to try first. It costs nothing, takes minimal explanation, and shows results quickly.
