Educate
Jamaica’s Prime Minister Defends Homeschooling His Kids
1Here is an interesting article entitled Jamaica’s Prime Minister Defends Homeschooling His Kids posted by Wendy Wright on the site Turtle Bay and Beyond. You can imagine that critics are threatened that a world leader and his wife would choose homeschooling over their country’s educational system, but PM Andrew Holness sums up their decision beautifully.
“Despite several interventions, we came to the conclusion that it would be best to create an individualised learning solution that would cater to his interest and stimulate his appetite for knowledge while teaching in the way he learns best,” he said. “My wife decided that she would manage the process.”
Those of us in the trenches know that individualized learning is a BIG benefit of homeschooling.
I also love Holness’ wife Juliet’s statement: “[A]s women, we are not perfect, neither are men, but God puts a family structure in place and, as best as possible, it is necessary to depend on that family structure to raise fully adjusted children who will be able to contribute to society.”
This couple has embraced the philosophies that are held dear by so many homeschooling families. I wish them all the best!
Homeschool Laws Revised in South Dakota
0The homeschooling laws have been revised–for the better–in South Dakota. Families no longer need to seek permission from the local school board to begin homeschooling. A recent study revealed that more than 2 million children are homeschooled in the United States, about 4% of total students. Repealing laws like this will make it even easier and faster to get started. Read the whole story here.
How to Start Homeschooling – My Letter to You, Part II
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Here is the follow up email that I sent to a dear friend who was asking about homeschooling. Check out the first email, How to Start Homeschooling – My Letter to You, Part I. I hope you find both of these letters helpful and encouraging. Enjoy!
Dear Friend,
It sure sounds like you are well on your way! If there’s anything that I am personally learning through homeschooling it’s that this is a marathon, not a sprint. There are days when my daughter pushes my buttons and my son begs for attention and the baby is crying, and I think, It would be so much easier to send you to school. But then a day or two passes and she comes to me and we talk about something we’ve studied and I realize just how nurturing this form of education is. It’s amazing how much they retain and how aware of their learning process we parents become.
It’s also so encouraging to me to see my daughter grow in maturity through homeschooling. Two of the benefits of homeschooling are encouraging the love of learning and teaching children to become self-motivated learners. I see both of those in my kids. Other than when my daughter is trying to push my buttons (She’s really good at that! Probably because she’s mini-me. 
), she looks forward to school. And when I tell her that her schoolwork has to be done before she can do something else, she applies herself quickly and well. I realize in those moments that we are moving in the right direction. I really believe it’s as much of a learning process for me as it is for her.
You asked about music. I don’t do a formal music study yet, but music is very much a part of our home. My husband always has music praying, and he is always introducing various music to us. I have introduced some classical music using the Charlotte Mason method. Check out this plan from Simply Charlotte Mason. (I love their stuff.) I tried to do this plan last year, but I’ll be honest, it fell by the wayside with everything else that I was trying to do. One thing I have done this year that seems to be working really well is starting the day with praise and worship. I have a kids’ worship album and we sing and dance to two songs to start the day. I turn it up as a way to signal that school is starting. After P&W, I read from the Bible and then pray. I was just trying to think of ways to teach the Bible and Christian principles in a kid-friendly way. They really like it.
You also wondered how your preschooler would respond to the new schedule. I’ll tell you, I involve my son as much as possible in our school. I bought him a school folder and bought a couple of workbooks and coloring books from the Dollar Store. I keep them hidden so he can’t see or use them outside of school. He is the first to race to his seat and ask if he can open his folder. So far it’s working out well. I also try to incorporate games and group activities that focus on him (like singing the ABC song or doing puzzles). My daughter joins in, or she works on her handwriting during these times. I do the same with the baby by introducing activities and play time that focus on him. When you find out what works for your family, please share with me. I want to keep things fresh and interesting.
Let me know how things go. And let me know what you find works or doesn’t work. I really like to hear others’ experiences.
Blessings!
Gena
Photo: Raise Your Hand by romainguy
How to Start Homeschooling – My Letter to You, Part I
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I’ve recently had two friends ask me about homeschooling. They are either considering it or looking for advice on how to start homeschooling. I answered one with a couple of lengthy emails, which I’m posting over the next couple of days. Perhaps the information I included will be helpful to you. Enjoy!
Dear Friend,
I’m really excited that you’ve chosen to homeschool. Check out the post I wrote on the best homeschooling books. These really helped me, so maybe they’ll help you too. Remember, you may be able to borrow them from your library.
For your first year, I say, keep it simple. If you like a traditional approach, worksheets and seatwork, then check out A Beka for phonics/language arts and either A Beka (up to grade 4), Math-U-See and Teaching Textbooks for math.
If you like a literature-based approach, then check out Sonlight. This one includes a lot of reading and discussing, but not as much seatwork. It can get expensive, but remember that you can borrow the books from the library or find them second hand. What you are really paying for are the lesson plans—everything drafted out so you can just pick up and go.
In fact, all of these programs keep things very simple. They provide the lesson plans, so you’re able to just open them up and get started. Don’t forget that you can buy second-hand curriculum on eBay or at a second-hand shop. There’s a local curriculum store here called The Book Cover. It has an online store that is very reasonable. Of course, I’m sure you can find one near you.
Let me know if you have any other questions. I’ll help any way I can. And let me know how it goes.
Blessings!
Gena
Check out the follow up email: How to Start Homeschooling – My Letter, Part II.
Photo: Raise Your Hand by romainguy
Best Books for New Homeschoolers
1It’s the time of year when we welcome new homeschooling families to our ranks. They are eager to learn all they can about the homeschooling journey and make informed decisions about curriculum and philosophies. So I couldn’t pass up this chance to share my top four homeschooling books. Of all the ones I’ve read, these are the ones I keep on my shelf, return to time after time and remember long after I’ve set them down. Take a look. They may be just what you need too!
The Homeschooling Option: How to Decide When It’s Right for Your Family
If you’ve already decided to homeschool, you may wonder why this book makes my must-have list. Quite simply, it’s because this book lays out balanced reasons for homeschooling. The author is a college professor and veteran homeschooler. She explains why she chose to homeschool her only son, what you can expect and the benefits of homeschooling. The book is well researched, and while new studies have come out about the effectiveness of homeschooling that were not include in this book, it’s still a compelling read. I let my mother-in-law read it, too, because I wanted her to understand our reasons for choosing this form of education. My belief is that if you can educate potential naysayers on why homeschooling works, family get-togethers will go more smoothly. Thankfully, she (and my own mother) have been very supportive. Great for Christian and secular homeschoolers.
100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum: Choosing the Right Curriculum and Approach for Your Child’s Learning Style
There is so much to choose from that it’s nice to have a more experienced homeschooler point you in the right direction. That’s what Duffy does. But more than the list of recommended curriculum, I love the introductory chapters. Duffy explains the different types of learning styles in a simple, but effective, way. I especially loved the section in which Duffy asks readers to list their educational goals. You may think you already know your educational goals, but Duffy opens your mind to make you think of education differently and to consider more than academics. This alone changed the way I approached education. While Duffy is a Christian, I believe secular homeschoolers would still be comfortable reading this.
Home Learning Year by Year: How to Design a Homeschool Curriculum from Preschool Through High School
A lot of home educators dismiss using an established list of score and sequence. But for me, I like having a gage to see where my children fall and what the public standards are. This book takes you from preschool to 12th grade. Some reviewers admit to being overwhelmed by this book (the list for each grade is extensive), but Rupp acknowledges that every child moves at their own pace. Her lists are merely a guide. I return to this book often to get ideas and read recommendations for curriculum and real books. Great for Christian and secular homeschoolers.
Educating The WholeHearted Child
This book began as a workshop and then became a book. It takes you from the basics of what the Bible says about training children, through the Clarksons’ own experiences and ends with their recommendations. The Clarksons have developed a Home-centered Learning Model, which they have broken into five study areas: discipleship (religion), disciplined (core), discussion (humanities), discovery (science) and discretionary (life skills). While their recommendations include curriculum, they also include teaching techniques. It’s those techniques that are especially helpful because they teach you how to think about each subject, and the list of subjects is extensive. The Clarksons lean toward a Charlotte Mason approach so you will find a great reliance on living books. The text is dense so be prepared for lots of copy, sidebars and very little white space. This can be bit overwhelming (at least initially), but you’ll be glad you made the effort. An updated version will be released this year (Fall 2010). I look forward to receiving the new version as the Clarksons have extensively revised the book and added 100 more pages. Great for Christian homeschoolers.
Do you have a book that was especially helpful to you as a new homeschooler? I’d love to hear about it. Let’s do all we can to help newbies be successful. Happy homeschooling, everyone!
Lazy, Narrow-minded Homeschoolers
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If you’ve been a homeschooler for a nanosecond, you’ve probably encountered someone who feels the need to share their opinions about your family’s educational choices. A family member who thinks you’ve crossed over to the Dark Side. A friend who’s certain you’ve lost your mind. A stranger who thinks you must be part of some cult. That’s where I found myself yesterday… working at a booth… minding my own business… in McDonald’s.
Yes, McDonald’s is my office away from home. It’s where I go to write, edit and enjoy an incredible glass of sweet tea without my children. Each week, I have a few precious hours to get away, work on freelance jobs and contribute to our family’s bank account. Usually I pass the time well enough. Since I only have a few hours, I keep my head down and work. It’s kind of the editorial version of “drive it like you stole it.” I know that whatever I don’t get finished there must be written in between wiping noses, hineys and spills the rest of the week. So when someone interrupts this reverie, it’s a big deal.
Yesterday, a gentleman walked by and asked about Mickey D’s Internet service. I assured him it was working. He continued the conversation, asking what I was doing. I told him I write. I’m currently working on some curriculum.
“You’re a teacher?” he asked.
“Well, I’m a homeschooling mom,” I answered. “So yes, but this is for churches.”
“I’m not a big fan of the homeschooling thing,” he offered.
That’s when the whole conversation went south.
For the next 20 minutes, I was held captive as this man unloaded all his thoughts on homeschooling and those of us who choose it. According to him, homeschoolers are narrow-minded because we don’t seek out diversity. We work to keep our children close and never let them meet people who aren’t exactly like us. We’re lazy, he reasoned.
I laughed. “If there is one thing homeschoolers are not, it’s lazy.”
“Well, they take the path of least resistance,” he responded.
After a few tries to educate this man on what research has proven and what I’ve observed, I gave up. He didn’t want to hear that in addition to academically outperforming their public school peers,[1] homeschooled children are almost twice as likely to volunteer in a community service project as adults. He also didn’t care that they are also more likely to be politically and socially involved by voting, working for a political candidate and writing an editor or public official, than their non-homeschooled counterpart.[2] No, he was just stuck in his own observations of a select few.
As “Low Battery” flashed across my laptop screen, I began tidying my table and gathering my things. He continued talking right to the end. “Have a good day,” he finally said and left.
I shook my head and turned to leave. A man at a neighboring table chuckled, “I thought a conversation was supposed to be two-sided.”
“I’m surprised by how often it isn’t,” I said.
As I headed for home, back to my neighborhood of American families that are white, black, Latino, Asian and any mixture thereof (as well as others from Ethiopia, Nigeria and Eastern Europe), not to mention those who practice various religions—Evangelical, Catholic, Mormon, Greek Orthodox and secular, I thought about my upcoming week. I wondered how best to reach out to the family across the street that is struggling with substance abuse and domestic violence. I tried to figure out a good time to take a few of the neighborhood’s latch-key kids swimming before they go back to school (public school, that is), and I remembered that I still need to contact the community food outreach to ask if our family can volunteer.
Yep, it’s just another day as a lazy, narrow-minded homeschooler.
[1] Ray, Brian D., Ph.D., Homeschool Progress Report 2009.
[2] Ray, Brian D., Ph.D., Home Educated and Now Adults: Their Community and Civic Involvement, Views About Homeschooling, and Other Traits, 2009.
Photo: Lazy Dazy by H. Michael Karshis
New Homeschooling Dads
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The July 2010 issue of Parents
As I read the article, I found myself smiling at the new tug-of-war dads are feeling. I smile because moms have been feeling this pull for years. And for the homeschooling mom, we’ve chosen (or felt impressed) to add even more pressure to the mix. But instead of talking about how challenging it can be to parent, homeschool and keep a continual sense of peace, joy and calm in the midst of this sometimes crazy juggling act, I want to instead share a few of the statistics that Scott included in his article and consider what they could mean to the future of homeschooling. Just look at these numbers:
- “Fathers are now the primary caregiver for about one out of every four preschool-age children.” (U.S. Census Bureau)
- “Today, 28% of all American wives between 30 and 44 have more education than their husbands, while only 19-percent of husbands in that group have more education than their wives. (The remaining 53-percent have the same level of education as each other.)”
- “The U.S. Dept. of Education found that women received 57% of all bachelor’s degrees and 61% of all master’s degrees. They receive 51% of all Ph.D.’s.”
- “From 2008-2009, the unemployment rate increased 83% among men age 25 and over, compared with 57% among women age 25 and over.”
- “Twenty-percent of American men ages 25-54 didn’t have a job as of December 2009.”
- “As of February 2010, the top two professions among the unemployed in the U.S. were construction and manufacturing.”
What do these statistics mean to homeschooling families?
Well, with the rise of homeschooling’s popularity, I can’t help but think that we will see an increase in the number of dads who take on the role of primary homeschooling parent. As women receive more education and men endure a downturn in industries that are held primarily by them, we will most likely see more men coming home and more women pursuing more profitable career paths, all in an effort to support and care for their families.
In most of the homeschooling families I know, the moms work as least part time. In fact, according to the Homeschool Progress Report 2009, 19.4% of homeschool moms (almost 1 in 5) work at least part time. This number may very well increase in the face of a shrinking job market.
When the time comes, I hope that as a community we will welcome these newcomers with the same encouragement we received as newbies. It will be a chance for us to draw from their strengths and offer a smile, a pat on the back or even a cup of coffee when the situation arises. (Think about it, who wouldn’t love to have a construction-savvy dad teach woodworking techniques in co-op? I know several moms—myself included—who would be elbowing our way to the front of the class!)
We’re in this together, homeschoolers. Let’s do all we can to make sure we succeed the same way… together!
Are you a homeschooling dad? Please comment on your experience.
Does More Money Produce Better Academic Scores?
0If you’re like most Americans, you’ve bought into the idea that education must be complicated and expensive to be worthwhile. It must be handled by highly educated, well-trained, pragmatic individuals with lots of mass produced educational tools at their disposal. Well, the truth may surprise you.
Recent findings in the Homeschool Progress Report 2009 found that education has little to do with the amount of money spent. When compared with the average amount spend per child in our public schools, homeschool families are doing an admirable job. We are, in fact, a frugal bunch. Most of us have traded the financial comfort of a two income family in order to have at least one parent (a.k.a. educator) at home, at least part of the time. Some of us are armed with little more than pen, paper, a library card and our creativity to develop our children’s curriculum. And we like it that way! Just take a look at what the statistics say… they speak for themselves.
How Many Hours Does Homeschooling Take?
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Today, I continue my interview with homeschool author and conference speaker Donna Conner. I’m so grateful to have had Donna share her experience and wisdom with me during the last few weeks. If you missed the first three parts, make sure to check them out:
- Is Homeschooling a Good Choice for Families with Only One Child?
- Socialization and Homeschooling an Only Child
- Challenges and Solutions for Homeschooling an Only Child
Homeschool Passion: In your book, Homeschooling Only One
First off, the guidelines are just that—guidelines. They are not set in stone. They are an idea, something to start with, so as not to start with expectations of an 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. schedule. Each child will be different and might not be ready for as many hours as their age may indicate. Or they may need/want a bit more to explore the next chapter or the next problem. We do not want to ever squelch an interest or that love of learning. These guidelines will be/should be more of a jumping-off point. It should become instinctual for the parents. It’s not like we pull out a stopwatch and click when we begin to teach for the day, and then stop it after seven or eight hours. In fact, I hope no one does that!
Teaching your child should be an “all day” affair. They are learning all the time, no matter what a clock says. The hours I suggest won’t necessarily be consecutive. In fact, it might be better if they weren’t. However, you definitely want to break up the schooling over the course of the day, especially when they are younger. Remember, you are your child’s expert, and no one loves them and wants the best for them like you do. Your homeschool can look totally unique and different from that of other families.
That said, these are the guidelines I wrote in my book:
Ages General Idea of Homeschooling Hours
4-5 No more than 1 hour a day; 15 min. at a time, alt. fine motor skill & gross motor skill activities.
6-7 1 – 2 hours a day total; 15 – 20 min. same alternation as above.
8-10 2 to 3 hours a day total; 20 min at a time, same alternation as above.
11-13 3 to 4 hours a day total; 20-30 min at a time, same alternation as above.
14-18+ 4+ hours a day total; 30+ min at a time, same alternation as above if needed.
Again, these hours are only guidelines—but if you are concerned that it’s “not enough,” remember each child is different. You will probably have to adjust for your special, unique child. Perhaps fewer hours/minutes a day, or you may need to give the child what he wants and give him more time in the classes he’s devouring in delight. And it might not be a complete schedule change for every day, for the whole year. It could be a half hour less today and an hour more tomorrow, vice versa, or it might be fairly consistent, except for a few minutes here and there.
Also, having only one student takes nothing like the time that an institutional setting with 30+ children takes. Schools don’t have enough time to spend on each and every student. Teachers (most if not all) love teaching and love children. They do the very best they can. But the logistics just aren’t there for the teacher to spend more than a very few minutes of one-on-one time with each of their students.
Ages 4-7: They don’t need a whole lot of time. Each family does it differently, but you can do the first 15 min. in the morning, then 15 min. before/after or even during lunch. Another 15 min. in the afternoon and possibly that last 15 min. after dinner. In the in-between time, real life is happening—errands, chores, fixing meals, and such. Each class or subject, should be short and fun. When you finish the minutes you’ve allotted for each class, then that class/subject/book is closed until the next day. You do not have to finish every problem on a page. You really ought to try using a timer and shutting the book when it goes off.
Be creative in how you cover the subjects you want to teach. For example, you can talk about geography using educational placemats during meals. in the last couple of years of this age group, I gave my son control of when he would do which class. My only request was that he did math first or second, when he was fresher and (hopefully) less likely to dawdle in it.
Ages 8-10: Children are still in early elementary. The hours they need depend on the child, but the “school day” should be moving to a bit more time on each subject, preparing for more in-depth study that they will be getting as they move onwards towards high school material. Allowing your child to have some control in their schooling is a good step, if you haven’t already done that in the last age group. Deciding when they will do what class gives them ownership and something within their power for their own education. If they feel they don’t have any power, it’s possible that they feel out of control and have little interest in doing school. Even knowing how important the classes really are, we don’t want to push too hard and have their day too regimented. Proceeding gently yet with enough authority is helpful here. They haven’t quite proclaimed their independence yet. When I was educating my son at 10 years of age, I thought he’d never be independent of me. He needed me to sit right beside him. Didn’t need much input, but I couldn’t read or cross stitch—only sit. That’s what he needed, so that’s what I did.
Ages 11-13: This group is equivalent to middle school. A little more responsibility is given to this group. At this point, the work requires a bit more in-depth work or research. So although you are “doing” school with him for 3 or 4 hours in the day, he may see the need to work on some “homework” sometime before or after his “school day.” This is not for every class, of course, but you are introducing the idea that some work might need more time other than those 3-4 hours. (The extra work shouldn’t take more than an hour or an hour-and-a-half. This is, after all, introducing larger projects.)
You may find, sometime in this age group, your child may want to strike out on his own and take more control of his education. My son, Mike, at the age of 12, decided/discovered that he could be done with school by lunchtime, if he got up and got to his work, instead of waiting for slow-moving-in-the-morning mom. In a short 2 years, he went from needing my presence at every turn to needing very little input from me. It will happen to you at some juncture of your homeschooling journey. Be encouraged!
Ages 14-18: These are the years that a child does high school work in preparation for college or a job, hence more hours have been slowly integrated into his day (probably from the year he turns 12 or 13). Essays and research papers will probably need to be worked on during after-school hours. The 4+ hours are really more in the hands of your high schooler than they are in yours. You will, most likely, be giving assignments and correcting work. However, different styles of homeschooling may mean less “schoolishness” and the child might be working with you to divide the work he needs to do (e.g. how many pages need to be read in a day). Both of you can create a schedule of assignments for each day or each week, so that he has input and you know that there is a certain amount of accountability. They might possibly be correcting their own work. Remember, your homeschool is as unique as is your child. No two are going to look exactly alike.
Interview with Homeschool Author and Speaker Donna Conner, Part 3
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This week we continue our interview with homeschooling author of Homeschooling Only One and conference speaker Donna Conner. She continues to share her wisdom of homeschooling an only child. This week’s interview covers the challenges of homeschooling an only child and gives practical advice for overcoming these challenges. Even if you are homeschooling multiple children, you’ll find Donna’s wisdom enlightening. And, if you have missed part 1 or 2 of this series, be sure to check them out. God bless!
Homeschool Passion: What are the biggest challenges for parents homeschooling only one child, and how can they overcome these challenges?
Donna Conner: First, parents of an only have to deal with being their child’s only playmate at times. They have to balance what needs to get done (chores, errands, etc.) with their child always being there.
I encourage the use of naptime (when the child is young) and quiet time (when they are too old for naps). During these times, I required my son to be on his bed, nowhere else in his room. He could play quietly or look at/read books, but he had to do this for an hour. If he got too loud, his hour would begin again. There were a couple of times where he ended up with 2 or 3 hour naps/quiet time. Most of the time he would fall asleep, or be quiet enough for me to get an hour break. I was fortunate that he took naps until he was 7 years old; after that, he might fall asleep or not. During those quiet times, I could do several different things: take a nap myself, if needed; read a book for relaxation; do chores, even watch a little TV or a movie.
There were also times, not called nap or quiet time, when I was on sensory overload from the constant chatter. I even taught that term to my son! I would send him to his room, not as a punishment, but so I had a breather. He understood that I just needed some time away, and he got to play. (Now there were times I sent him to his room as a discipline measure, but he knew there was a difference.)
Sometimes we have to be their playmate, but our job is not to be their playmate all the time, nor to be their best friend, or to keep them entertained. We don’t put off other duties we may have, to be on the floor playing the whole day. There needs to be balance. And sure, when you only have one, it’s easy to let the time go and just enjoy them. There’s nothing wrong with that, unless it’s out of balance with real life.
As a mom, I needed to get dinner together, vacuum & dust the house, clean the bathroom, take care of my husband, run errands as needed, AND take care of our precocious preschooler/early elementary-aged child. You can’t do it all, especially when they are in your care (for the most part) for 24/7. I knew what my husband required and needed of me, so we jointly decided which things could go by the wayside for a time. The way to keep some balance while doing your chores is to alternate—play a game, do a chore; have free play in his room, do a chore; teach a chore, do a chore, etc. “I’m bored” was a key phrase that signified to me that it was time to assign a chore according to his age.
aving a Moms’ Night Out with friends is a good way to give you distance. Getting some adult female conversation does wonders for a mom! Doing the groceries by yourself in the evening while allowing dad to enjoy his kids on his own is another way to give yourself a break. (It’s a bonus that dad and kids get to play and interact with each other without mom jumping in.) This helps to give you balance, also!
Second, parents must learn to not focus on every little jot and tittle that the child does “wrong,” and for that matter, anything that the child does “right.”
This is a very easy thing to do. For example, instead of correcting them for one grammar mistake in a paper, we show them every single error, plus add content criticism. We need to focus on one thing at a time, maybe all commas and semicolons, or something like that, but not every misspelling, grammar mistake and content problem. Being selective in what you focus on will keep your child from becoming overwhelmed. You might spend a week on grammar. The next week on misspellings, then content another week.
Another exercise is to allow a child to create stories separate from school, or for school but without all the corrections. This allows them to be creative. Having this as a first draft and then polishing the paper over several days is a great way of doing it. It’s also good to allow them to be just creative. If they use inventive spelling, or forego grammar rules, do not worry. Avoid doing any corrections. Just praise them for the story line. Granted, you don’t want to do this with everything they write, but they need some freedom just to create.
If you are homeschooling from the beginning and plan to do it for the rest of their educational journey, or just through middle school, or just for this year, there is time. Feeling pressure with what needs to be done can be very scary and overwhelming. Add in the knowledge that “their educational future” is totally in your hands, and wow… It’s very easy to focus on every jot and tittle to the detriment of your child. Don’t despair of teaching them “everything.” It’s not possible, anyhow. You are responsible to teach them the basics, keep their love of learning intact, and teach them how to research so they can teach themselves at any point in their lives. Beyond that, relax, especially if you are in the younger years. There is time, and you’ll do fine.
Finally, don’t boast about or over-inflate your child’s ego… not to others or in front of your child. Being proud of your child is not a bad thing—if kept in balance. You don’t want the other mothers to scatter at your approach because you’ve become known for overly-bragging about your child. If you give the child high praise for being gifted or just getting his work done completely correct, he can develop an unhealthy concept of himself. You don’t want to train your child to brag about himself to his friends (whether at church or at co-op), lording his accomplishments over them, or be impertinent to an adult by correcting strangers or acquaintances.
My son somehow taught himself to read long before we started kindergarten, and he continues to do well in language arts. When he was younger, I would commend him, but at the same time (in a light and happy tone), remind him that God gives everyone different gifts. Some are good in math; others are great with language arts; still others are wonderful athletes, or artists, etc. The goal is to teach children that they are specially gifted, but not to put themselves above others. (Now, I didn’t repeat this litany each and every time I praised him! That would be too much for a child to handle, and they would most likely start to think they weren’t special at all.) The point is everyone is special. Everyone has unique gifts, and is seen as an individual by God! We need to rejoice in our individuality, but we don’t want to overdo it to the point of inflating egos (theirs or ours).
Next time, Donna will share her advice for scheduling homeschooling activities—how long and what type.
Previous posts in this series:
Photo: boy, with homework by wwworks