What is an Education in Wonder? A Guide to the Poetic Mode
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In this post, I’m sharing a bit about what an education of wonder looks like. And a simple, practical guide to the poetic mode of learning.
“And all the time—such is the tragi-comedy of our situation—we continue to clamour for those very qualities we are rendering impossible. You can hardly open a periodical without coming across the statement that what our civilization needs is more ‘drive’, or dynamism, or self-sacrifice, or ‘creativity’. In a sort of ghastly simplicity we remove the organ and demand the function. We make men without Chests and expect of them virtue and enterprise. We laugh at honour and are shocked to find traitors in our midst. We castrate and bid the geldings be fruitful.”
C.S. Lewis, The ABOLITION of Man
What is the Poetic Mode of Learning?
In our modern world, education has often become filled with efficiency, memorization, and utilitarian outcomes. Children are expected to absorb information quickly, produce measurable results, and move through standardized curricula without much thought for contemplation. Basically like machines.
But what if education was meant to be something more? What if it was meant to awaken the soul, spark the imagination, and cultivate a deep sense of wonder?
Here, I want to briefly explain about the poetic mode and an education in wonder. And I apologize if my descriptions are inferior — I am still learning about this mode myself.
The poetic mode of learning can easily be understood through contrast. Modern education often prioritizes analytical knowledge, which dissects, classifies, and systematizes information.
While this has its place — usually in the college years and beyond. But it also should not come at the expense of poetic knowledge — the knowledge gained through experience, beauty, and contemplation.
Dr. John Senior, who is a co-founder of the IHP — Integrated Humanities Program (along with Dr. Frank Nelick, and Dr. Dennis Quinn), and a key figure in classical education, emphasized that poetic knowledge is a precursor to logical reasoning. Before a child can analyze and critique, they must first encounter the world with a sense of wonder.
When beginning the IHP, these professors realized that their college students were lacking in knowledge that should have been gained in the early years because of modernity.
“Fed on materialism, impregnated by Relativism and blasé, the average student escaped into cheap enjoyments. Not recognizing the deep hunger for truth within themselves, like starving people who are not given healthy food, they gulped down spiritual junk food that made them fall into the illusion that their hunger had been satisfied. Students suffered from a sickness that we might call ‘spiritual obesity,’ which prevented them from growing wings, and ascending to the stars.”
Fr. Francis Bethel, “John Senior and the Restoration of Realism
Many of us have lost this or never have experienced this poetic life. It took me until the last couple of years to experience a deeper spiritual life and one of contemplation through poetic knowledge.
This is why young children delight in fairy tales, relish time spent outdoors, and are drawn to music and art without needing to “understand” them in a technical sense. They simply love and absorb these experiences, allowing them to shape their hearts and minds.
And we must learn to awaken this sense of wonder in ourselves too.
What is an Education in Wonder and Role in a Child’s Life?
Wonder is the beginning of wisdom. Aristotle stated that “all men by nature desire to know,” but this desire is first sparked by wonder.
If an education skips over this essential step, learning becomes dry and mechanical. A child who is trained only in analysis but never in wonder will lack the ability to delight in truth for its own sake.
St. Thomas Aquinas emphasized that wonder is what leads us to seek truth and, to know God, and ultimately towards union with God. Because, after all, this is the goal, is it not?
When a child experiences a breathtaking sunset, a beautiful piece of music, or a well told story, they are engaging in an act of wonder. This engagement fosters a love of learning that cannot be manufactured by rigid curricula or standardized tests.
As a mother teacher, we want to encourage a life long love for learning. And our ultimate goal should be in raising saints and their salvation.
This is what this education of wonder instills in our children — a life of contemplation and towards a deeper spiritual life.
“Wonder is the beginning of knowledge, the reverent fear that beauty strikes within us.”
John Senior
Why This Approach Is Essential for Catholic Education
For Catholic homeschoolers, an education in wonder is not just an educational philosophy — it is a preparation for encountering God. The Church has always recognized that Truth, Goodness, and Beauty lead the soul toward the Divine.
A child who is steeped in wonder will be naturally disposed to recognize God’s presence in creation, in great literature, in sacred music, and in the liturgy.
This approach also aligns with the sacramental imagination — the idea that the physical world points to deeper spiritual realities.
When children are taught to see the world through this lens, they develop a habit of seeing beyond the material and into the realm of mystery and faith.
Practical Ways to Cultivate a Poetic Education at Home
How can parents cultivate an education in wonder within their homeschool? Here are some practical steps:
- Literature & Storytelling
- Read aloud classic fairy tales, myths, and fables that inspire the imagination.
- Choose living books over dry textbooks to introduce subjects in an engaging way.
- Allow children time to narrate stories in their own words, reinforcing understanding through retelling.
- Nature Study & Observation
- Spend time outdoors daily, encouraging unstructured exploration.
- Keep a nature journal to record observations, sketches, and reflections.
- Introduce children to the changing seasons, the stars, and the intricate beauty of creation. Spend time stargazing at least once a week.
- Music & Art Appreciation
- Listen to classical music, folk songs, and sacred hymns regularly.
- Visit art museums or study famous paintings at home.
- Encourage artistic expression through drawing, painting, or poetry.
- Silence & Contemplation
- Protect time for quiet reflection, free from screens and structured activities.
- Introduce habits of prayer and meditation that allow for interior growth.
- Let children experience boredom, as it often leads to creative thought and deep reflection.
Related: Why I Quit Social Media
Common Difficulties & How to Avoid Them
While seeking to cultivate an education in wonder, there are common pitfalls to be aware of:
- Overemphasis on Early Academics: Pressuring young children into formal studies too soon can stifle their natural sense of wonder. Allow learning to unfold naturally. Don’t worry if this has been your course. With my first child, I had her start too soon and eventually learned over time, as we moved to the Charlotte Mason method, and eventually towards the poetic mode.
- Overscheduling: Too many structured activities can leave no room for contemplation or free exploration. This is easily overcome by simplifying and allowing for more quiet.
- Excessive Screen Time: Digital distractions can dull the senses and replace real-life experiences with passive consumption.
Cultivating a Life of Wonder
Education is not merely about filling a child’s mind with knowledge; it is about forming their soul. An education in wonder invites children (and parents) into a way of living that is slower, richer, and more contemplative.
By prioritizing beauty, story, nature, and silence, we can cultivate not only wise and virtuous learners but also saints-in-the-making!
May we all take the time to rekindle wonder in our homes, trusting that it will lead our children — (and ourselves) — closer to the ultimate source of all beauty and truth: God Himself.
Resources for the Mother Teacher
These are a few resources that have helped me in my journey and I hope that they are helpful for you too!
- “The Death of Christian Culture” by John Senior
- “The Restoration of Christian Culture” by John Senior
- “John Senior and the Restoration of Realism” by Fr. Francis Bethel
- Poetic Knowledge by James S. Taylor
- Awakening a Sense of Wonder in the Mother Teacher
- An Education in Wonder + Changes to our Homeschool
- The Children’s Tradition Curriculum – Use code: JOYFULLYDOMESTIC for 10% OFF!
- Fairytales, Fables, Legends, and Myths in a Catholic Education
- Musical Education in the Classical Homeschool
