TIP #3: Quality over quantity - Beginner Guide to Charlotte Mason

When doing any kind of schoolwork or activity, children can sometimes be so focused on trying to complete 20 questions or 10 sums or write a long enough essay, that they are focused more on the quantity of work they are doing, than putting in the effort to give the best quality work.

Charlotte Mason introduced the concept of "perfect execution", meaning work towards perfection, always giving your best effort. She recommended that a time limit be set on children's work and the child should work at a slow enough pace during that time period to deliver something at the best quality they can manage, without rushing through it.

Let's use handwriting practice as an example. If you set a time limit of 15 minutes, your child needs to practice writing some words or sentences at their best effort for that time period. If during those 15 minutes, they are only able to write one or two words, but those words are written carefully and beautifully, then they have given their best effort and succeeded in their task. If however, your child has written several sentences, but the work is sloppy and not their best effort, they should be required to redo the task, slower this time and more carefully in order to give their best effort. 

This method moves the emphasis from quantity to quality, and gives your child a sense of pride in their work. It also instils in them the habit of concentration and paying close attention, and it then becomes a habit to not hand in sloppy work.