Secular Charlotte Mason

I'm still learning CM methods but I believe Rote Memorization is more a part of a classical education. Correct?  So I am wondering what needs to be included for young children?

I can think of a few things as essentials: alphabet, counting, mulitplication.  What else is essential?  If it's not essential, why do it?  I can see memorizing a quote or scripture that is particularly meaningful to the person.  What am I missing?

The process of rote memorization works certain areas of the brain.  I tend to think that *what* you memorize isn't really as important as just doing some memorization to exercise those areas of the brain.  Classical Ed. would have you memorize lists of kings/queens and such.  My girls find that mindnumbing but my son and I enjoy it.  Drakon's memorization tends to relate to history (or RGP games) in some way; ie. he's memorized the preamble to the constitiution, parts of the Gettysburg address, etc. Tide has memorized so many rock lyrics that I feel no need to add any memorization other than that needed for basic math skills to her studies. It's quite obvious to me that her brain is getting a workout.  KodyGirl enjoys memorizing poetry and quotes along with passages from her favorite books. Have to admit that I'll have to look at see what CM had to say about memorization. Personally, I think memorization as taught via TWM would totally turn my kids off of learning and would make Tide hate history even more. Have to admit that I am all for memorizing poetry and famous speeches however. 

Ah, yes.  Good exercises for the brain.  It reminds me of those nuns who do puzzles and word games to exercize their brains and stay sharp as a tack even up to 100+ years old.   I'm not sure what CM says about memorization.  I'll have a better perpective when I do read about it tho.

Yeah.  My grandparents were like those nuns.  Every day they did crossword puzzles for pleasure and to keep their minds sharp. I'm trying to get into the habit myself. We also keep a stash of Menza, sudoko, and other brain stretchers for when the kids claim to be bored.