Rest easy. You absolutely cannot academically ruin an elementary level student. These little guys are made to bounce in all ways. Their resiliency and absorption ranks right up there with Elasta-Girl.
The most typical mistake we over-excited, eager, fun-loving parents do is to do too much (academic sit down work). We just can’t wait to begin reading lessons and ‘official’ math- what is that, by they way? Aren’t math stories using manipulatives official math!
Our sweet Little Sponges soak and soak and soak and… We are excited to teach. They are excited to interact with us (some call it play- :)). Children are born brilliant with crazy survival modes. I mean, who knew that a hunger cry could pierce the depths of an exhausted mom’s sleep or that a slobbery grin would move us to swoop up and cuddle?!
Playing is how children learn. Imagine creating a life long learner by plopping down a 3 year old amidst a pile of books and academic material. As you imagine this, do you envision the child rising joyfully to learn? NOPE! You are the magic ingredient. All of a sudden any material comes to life and the joy of learning abounds.
Our brilliant children see how pleased Dad/Mom get over this ‘learning-game’, and they give all they have and more.– And then they (often) stutter, stop, flop around 2nd-4th grade when their new discovery is autonomy. Our sweet little ones realize they are not just an extension of dad/mom, but their own person capable of expressing their own emotions- and remaining strong in them. Oh my!- how strong they can be!
Now, what if we could re-imagine what ‘academic material’ might be beyond books, pen, paper. Wouldn’t an insect climbing on a tree elicit greater critical thinking skills than a one dimensional replica? Might that same experience taking 10 to 60 minutes take the place of so many other ‘traditional’ (as in the last 150 years) materials beyond science? The icing on the cake is the love of being outside in the sunshine and the fresh air. A healthy body and a curious mind come together.
Why do we parents feel that learning must be droll, boring, dull in order to count? Perhaps most of us experienced learning that way and people with letters after their name have endorsed these less effective methods? If you are needing to teach 30 children at one time, there must be quiet. There must be order. There must be only one way. But we homeschool. We need not replicate crowd control learning.
I blame our children. They are just so cute when they are all excited about learning! However, we hold the wisdom which dictates that what they are truly excited about is the fact that Dad or Mom are playing with them. It does not matter what the game is as long as it holds Dad/Mom’s attention to the child’s orbit.
Expand their orbit. If you feel that you must do some sit down work, consider 15 minutes for K, 45 for 1st, 60 for 2nd, and so on.
While you are expanding their sit down work, keep in mind that learning CAN BE, SHOULD BE a game. Just because the material may be math, there is no reason that you cannot sit there with them and make it fun until they say, “I’ve got it.” – and they will!
Liken it to teaching baseball. If we taught our children sports in the manner we teach academics, there would cease to be sports.
Common comments stated in therapy from child to parent: “It used to be so easy to please you.” “It used to be so easy to keep up with the work when you made it fun.”
Meeting moms expectations and thrilling her with your ‘smarts’ was a breeze, but now it is hard work -and the amount of work has become burdensome.
Keep it light but rich (insect on tree rather than worksheet -unless doing the worksheet as a fun second lesson); avoid fluffy subjects such as handwriting by replacing it with art; memorize phonics rules for fun before learning to read; read aloud (at, below, above level), count everything and create math stories from everything.
If you are now thinking that the Amazon box that so excited you yesterday is now not the Holy Grail you had thought, do not lose heart. Send it back or keep it for use here, there, or another year.
Utilize nature, classic literature, and discussion as much as possible. Create an environment of learning and a culture of curiosity within your home rather than a classroom in your kitchen. Get excited over finding reference books at the thrift stores and slowly build a resource library of $1 books.
If you are already on the edge or your child currently lacks zeal for learning, step back and examine your moments. No genius was ever built through rote lessons. There must be a spark. It must catch their attention. They must want more. You must be willing to give more.
This article is not encouraging you to allow your student to dictate your day by his/her attitude. Have few rules, a skeletal plan, and the faith that the best learning of the day will not be ‘seat work’.
Teach with love, grace, and firm guiding rules. These guiding rules are mostly for you. smile.
- Children have a choice of doing as asked with a good attitude or bad attitude, but doing the requested exploration/work is non negotiable.
- Kindness toward others is the rule rather than the rare exception.
- Quick obedience (even, and especially, when not getting one’s way) rather than hijacking the situation with whining or wheedling.
- Attendance to the details of lessons in a quick, efficient and correct manner.
These foundational stones will serve you tenfold in future years in the areas of academics, character, contentment with life, balance in life, willingness to work hard, and on and on. Lack thereof will create an equal and opposite reaction.
Have no fear. Adam and Eve homeschooled their children, so did Noah, so did Mary & Joseph. Teaching is a natural gift given to all. Believe in yourself. Consider what your child is enjoying- the lesson or time with you?! Know that this season will be short and you only have one chance at each moment. Take joy in your children every day!
Do not live within the fear of someone telling you that you are inadequate because your child is not at some man-made place of man-made value. You need not fit ‘someone’s’ idea of normal. You just need to follow your child’s interests and abilities moving concept upon concept and precept upon precept.
Completing a workbook, text, or curriculum each year does not mean the material has been learned. It has been covered. Far better it should be learned! True learning requires enjoyment. Massive amounts of learning leave little room for joy. You will not truly know if your child is built to ‘eat’ books for breakfast, lunch, dinner until around late elementary. For now, play! Play well. Play a lot!
Okay, so I could ramble on all day as I love this stuff and want each of our Faithful Scholars families to feel empowered and confident in their roles as homeschool teacher and administrator. I am here to answer whatever question you may have- on topic or off, silly or serious. Don’t ever think you are the only one experiencing anything- it is a lie. We all go through similar experiences, and when we share our troubles we find our answers as well as friendship, love, grace, and empowerment!
PLAY SCHOOL!