Ellen White's Guidance on the Mother as Primary Teacher

The Mother's Role: The mother is the head teacher in the home school, and her instructions are essential in the formation of character during a child's tender yearsCG 119.1+1.

Nature as the Textbook: Instead of using books, parents should open before their children the "book of nature," teaching them about God through flowers, trees, and the heavensCE 8.4+1.

Physical Freedom: Up until age six or seven, children should be left "free as lambs" to play out of doors and enjoy fresh air and sunshine to lay a foundation for healthSA 133.1+2.

Character Development: Lessons in respect, obedience, and self-control are the first that should be taught in the homeSpM 263.5+1.

Mental Overtaxation: Forcing young minds into a schoolroom setting too early can ruin a child's health and even lead to premature deathPH140 14.2+1.

Physical Deformity: Placing "mere babes" in ill-ventilated schoolrooms with poorly constructed benches can cause their tender frames to become deformedCT 80.2+1.

The Goal of Maturity: Mental effort should be delayed until the physical constitution is strong enough to endure it, which is generally between the ages of eight and tenCE 8.4+1.

Helpfulness: As soon as a child has sufficient reasoning power, they should be taught to perform simple household duties and find joy in serviceCG 36.1+1.

Spiritual Foundation: Every child of a tender age should be taught that they are a child of God, and parents must preoccupy the soil of the heart with good seed before the enemy can sow taresSA 133.1+2.

Parental Responsibility: Parents are the ones responsible for the salvation of their children and should not shift this burden to teachers until the child is at least ten years old2TT 197.1+1.