Cultivating Wonder
choosing a life of intention, wonder, and meaningful connection
By: Sarah Barber, Literature Curriculum Chair
The Little House Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder is an all-time favorite of mine as both a reader and an educator, and I was so excited to introduce our current group of third graders to the series. So far, they are captivated - boys and girls alike! I explained to the children that the cover of Little House in the Big Woods can be a bit deceiving. With Laura lovingly holding her new doll (a Christmas upgrade from her original corncob doll), you might think the book would appeal more to little girls. But I love telling the boys that the first chapter is all about hunting, slaughtering, blood, and guts! They especially loved tasting homemade pork rinds: “The butchering time was a jolly time, and nothing of the hog was wasted.”
I have sometimes wondered what it might have been like if Charlotte Mason and Laura Ingalls Wilder had been friends. Their conversations might have been filled with stories of nature, childhood adventures, and the wonder of God’s creation. Charlotte would have delighted in Laura’s vivid memories of life on the prairie, seeing in them the rich experiences and living ideas that nourish a child’s mind and heart. Laura, in turn, may have found a kindred spirit in Charlotte, someone who understood the value of simple pleasures, meaningful work, time outdoors, and learning through everyday life. I can imagine them walking together through the English countryside, Charlotte asking meaningful questions while Laura spun tales of the prairie, both believing that the best education begins with wonder, relationship, and a love for the world God has made.
Intention, Wonder and Meaningful Connection
In 2026, when our children are surrounded by screens, hurried schedules, and an endless stream of information, we can model the ideals of Charlotte and Laura by choosing a life of intention, wonder, and meaningful connection. We can take our children outdoors to notice the changing seasons, invite them into the ordinary work of cooking and housekeeping, read beautiful books aloud as a family, and make room for the unhurried conversations around the dinner table, in the living room, in the car, or our family’s current favorite spot to gather - the driveway! We can teach them to see everyday moments as opportunities to learn, find joy in simple pleasures, work faithfully with their hands, and recognize God’s goodness in the world around them.
Most importantly, we must embody the very things we hope to cultivate in our children: curiosity, gratitude, kindness, self-discipline, and a genuine love of learning. We do not need to recreate life on the prairie or in Victorian England (though that sounds lovely); we need to recover the timeless practices that help children grow in wisdom, virtue, and wonder.
Join us November 16-17 for our Book Fair inspired by The Little House Series! Together, we will celebrate the timeless joys of childhood that both Charlotte Mason and Laura Ingalls Wilder cherished: beautiful books, a love of nature, meaningful work, family, and a sense of wonder. With a charming Little House theme to bring these ideals to life, our Book Fair will invite children and parents alike to step away from the pace of modern life and discover the treasures found in good stories, simple pleasures, and a life well lived. We hope families will not only leave with wonderful books in hand but with fresh inspiration to cultivate curiosity, gratitude, and a lifelong love of learning in their homes.
