The Grammar Stage

Grades K - 5

In the grammar stage, children’s minds are like sponges. They soak up information and absorb facts, facts, and more facts. Contrary to the modern disdain for it, there is absolutely nothing wrong with an emphasis on knowing by heart and mastering important information during this stage of learning. Whereas it is dull and laborious later, young children can easily retain information and love to display their mastery of it. In fact, I believe it could be proven that by mastering the processes of memorization and recitation of knowledge at this (the grammar) level, understanding and formal capacities of complex reasoning are later strengthened. For example, imagine having skill at advanced mathematics or algebra without first learning the simple sums or the multiplication table. Mastering the facts gives one the foundation of further understanding. This is common, “classical” sense.

Strawbridge, Gregg. Classical & Christian Education. Veritas Press, 2002. Third Edition.