• Should children’s play be free or planned?
• For what age is play especially important?

Personally, I have observed a growing trend away from playtime for children. More and more media has become more and more consuming, and more and more children are in more and more controlled environments.

What about allowing a child to run outside creating an imaginary castle out of a cluster of trees? What about encouraging a child to tie a cape (aka a towel) to their back and fly through the air as Superman? What about building a city out of blocks or playing freeze tag or having Barbie set Ken straight in their Dream House?

These are the kinds of things kids do when given the opportunity. But it seems these opportunities are being lost. Fewer schools are giving time for simple play.

When my husband and I were still deciding how to educate our children, this was one of the areas that concerned me. Private schools, especially, seem determined to pack as much “education” into children’s waking hours with hours of homework in elementary grades.

In fact, Hirsh-Pasek showed that in 1981 children spent 40% of their time in play. That percentage dropped to 25% in 1997. “In the last 20 years, children have lost eight hours of free play per week,” she said.

Why is this important? Research shows that there is a correlation between play in young children and better skills in reading, writing and math later in life. Play also allows children to learn social skills like emotional control, sharing and empathy.

Both free play and guided play are important. Free play is just that, kids have to figure out how to play creatively themselves. Guided play is also child-initiated but parents or adults are on hand to ask probing questions and make suggestions.

One example that Hirsh-Pasek gave was a study in which children were given three everyday items. One group was told, “This is how these items are used.” Another group was told, “Use them however you want.” And the third group was given the items and asked questions like, “What else could you do with those things?”

Then the groups were given a problem to solve with the items. The first group solved the problem in the most typical way. The participants never thought creatively about what the items could do. They merely recited what they have been told. The next group thought creatively but the results were limited. The third group was the most creative as the participants had been nudged to keep thinking, keep creating and give it one more try.

This kind of activity teaches children to become creative problem solvers. They become the inventors, designers, engineers and creators of the future.

I left the lecture encouraged that my inner compass was on track. Play is important. In fact, it is important for all of us at every age. It is what allows all of us to reason, grow, assimilate, celebrate, explore and just have fun with the world around us.

So the next time your student says, “But mom, I just want play!” That may be exactly what he needs to do.

Photo: D23 Expo 2011 – playing with Cars at the Mattel booth by PopCultureGeek

“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!

We all have typical days.

You know how it goes. I love it…some days can be a little harried, but very thankful for all God is doing in our lives.

I am using some used home school curriculm that I picked up from a consignment shop. The person who previously owned my curriculm did not get to erase all of her notes. So it’s a little interesting as I read over her notes before erasing them…all about her son.

In reading her notes this week, I had to stop and pause. Her entry:

“Day 4: (Skipped assignments.) Went to Colorado U Hospital  to see how the radiation therapy works for me. Nurse explained things to them.”

I just had to take a quiet moment.

Father … thank You for grace today … and for loving me and my family … and for always be with us.

Pace writes, “True education happens when the teacher himself/herself loves to behold beautiful things. When, in love, and with the wisdom that makes knowledge lovely, he teaches his students to behold and love these same things, the child becomes a “student,” i.e., a pursuer. It’s hard not to like something when someone you love loves it. ”

He ends the article, writing, “When a student is taught to love learning, then he is on his way to becoming human and to finding his fruitful place in the garden of God.” Beautifully put. And, isn’t that what we’re all striving for? God bless!

Photo: Working on States Notebook by Jimmie Homeschool Mom’s Photostream

When we started The Rag Coat by Lauren Mills, I had no idea that the story would be so touching or that it would affect me so profoundly. The book deals with the loss of a parent and a young girl overcoming the taunts of her school friends. It also emphasizes the kindness of a community, the wisdom of parents, the gift of being able to learn and the beauty of handicrafts. If you love to quilt or admire the kind of sisterhood that comes from quilting, needlework or fiber arts, you’ll really appreciate this book. Of course, losing a parent can be upsetting for young children, so you’ll have to use good judgment for your children.

The next time you visit the library or if you are looking for a good book for a child, be sure to check out The Rag Coat. But beware, you might be sniffling by the end. I know I was.

The book includes 75 humorous stories–some from the view point of the student and some from the teacher. All have a heart-warming message of hope and grace. Take a look!

 For each child this is a different path. For me, this year, it will mean more hands-on learning. It will mean putting the books away and coming up with new ways of teaching the material. For example, after reading through the Five in a Row book How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World, I’ve decided to take a morning and bake an apple pie with my children. The organized task master in me struggles with the idea of breaking away from the curriculum schedule, but in order to give my children the kind of education I truly want them to have, I know this is a necessary step. And hey, it’ll be lots of fun, I’m sure.

Another step I am taking is to add lapbooking. I am fully aware of the fact that in order to do this, some of the workbook pages won’t be filled—at least not that day. A part of me cringes as that fact. But then, I have to ask myself which will be more meaningful to my children: filled workbook pages or handmade books that they can revisit and enjoy. I’m sure the answer will be the personal books. And to help me with that endeavor, I’ve called on the expertise of Tammy Duby and Cyndy Regeling and their book The Ultimate Lap Book Handbook.

This is the direction in which I’m heading, and I know full well that it is very different from others. Whatever your students need, I pray you receive it. And as you zero in on exactly what they need, I pray you’ll find your own passion for teaching them. God bless!

Are you taking a new direction this year, or fine tuning an old one? I’d love to hear about it. Please comment below and share how you are changing your homeschool in the coming year–new curriculum you’ve found, new approach, ways to streamline, whatever. Let’s learn from each other.

There’s the mom of the dyslexic junior high student who is trying to figure out how to give her son the one-on-one time he needs. There’s the mom of the gifted student who is trying to keep her child challenged. There’s the mom of the artistic student who is searching new ways for her daughter to express herself. There’s the new homeschooling mom who is trying to transition three children home while combining as many subjects as possible. And, there’s the mom who is preparing her child for graduation and adulthood. These women are my heroes. They are prayerfully directing their children’s educations. They aren’t leaving it to a school system or a school board to determine which subjects to study when or how.

As you begin this homeschooling year, I pray that you are confident in the curriculum (or lack of curriculum) you are using. I pray that you have access to the resources you need. But most of all, I pray you have peace—peace in your home, peace with your children, peace with your spouse and peace in your heart.

It’s going to be a great year with lots of highs and lows, good days and bad, successes and even a few failures. Hopefully the good will far outweigh the bad, and you will finish the year feeling as passionate about homeschooling as you did at the beginning. And if you ever need a cheerleader to help you through the bad days or celebrate the good ones, feel free to email me. Remember, you’re my hero. God bless!

Photo: Mother and Child by cliff1066

Photo: Who Do We Appreciate by woodleywonderworks