Charlotte Mason has been called the mother of the home schooling movement.  Her theoretical and practical writings in the late 1800's and early 1900's establish her point of view that the home with its natural combination of freedom and discipline informed by love is the optimum environment for education.  A child is naturally curious and eager to learn. His desire to learn, especially in his early years can best be satisfied at home. This spontaneous desire for knowledge, fostered by loving parental teaching she dubs the "gentle art of learning." 

          Charlotte Mason's extensive writings have been distilled by Karen Andreaola in her A Charlotte Mason Companion: Personal Reflections on the Gentle Art of Learning.  This book has been highly recommended at many Catholic home school conferences.