I've thought a lot over the years of motherhood and classroom teaching about what is inside a child's mind; what motivates them; what makes learners who seem to be at ease and ones that seem to be at odds. I have no doubt that each child possesses unique gifts and talents. It stands to reason therefore that they will use these gifts and talents differently and that they will also acquire knowledge differently.
Another pondering of mine draws me back to a bygone era of one room school houses. Within these walls small groups of children of varying ages met and learned together. It was a condition that existed across our country and worked very well. This scenario reminds me of what many are trying to accomplish today; small groups of children (siblings) gathering together into one room (their home).
I hope these musings of today find a place to sit upon your 'thoughtful place'.
(a piece written for an LDS home school blog)
Inside my little home school resides a little student that struggles, fusses, refuses, and every once in a while will find some delight in what was learned that day. More often that not it is stressful rather than joyful. More often than not I find myself in a battle to find ways to encourage this student to delight in what she is doing. My test is becoming what I need to be in order to assist this little student of mine to be what she needs to be. I have termed this scenario 'Strength of Character Vs. Strength of Will."
We talk often throughout the Church about the strong will of these latter-day children. We know that they have an incredible mission to perform. We know that in order to accomplish this they must have been given great strength. It goes without saying that this strength has to come out some how when jam-packed into the small body of a child.
We know of the many different learning styles of the children of today and the many labels our latter-day children have been given. I have questioned these labels for years both as a mom and as a classroom teacher. Are the children of today different than I was or others of the generation before? Did we not daydream, imagine and wish to play more than learn? It used to be, when I sat in a desk in a school room that we were all pretty much the same. Oh sure, there were the exceptionally bright ones and the one or two that were trouble-makers. For the most part, we all learned well enough by the methodology applied by the classroom teacher. Yet today, I do feel something is different. I don't have evidence for this, but I do have years of experience as a teacher and a mom trying to encourage a child to delight in their education enough so that they would actually want to learn. And so their will and mind remain in a positive and joyful place to encourage the best learning. Somewhere in between multiplication tables, language arts, and piano lessons there needs to be a small measure of delight -- for both the student and the parent. Learning should bring us joy not tears. It should bless us and provide growth not frustration and tears.
My position is that the most enjoyable learning and the best opportunities for retention comes in times when the student actually desires to learn and/or even teaches themselves. To listen to a child share a tidbit of knowledge is a treasured moment indeed. Its something I wish I could capture and bottle for those days when I've gone over adding 9's for the umpteenth time and continue to see that 'deer in the headlight' expression. Or on those days I wonder what I am doing questioning my ability or my child's.
On one particularly rough day as I plead for help from above it was taught to me that it is not just my gospel educating and spiritual teaching that the Adversary is trying to destroy. He will attempt to destroy and break down any good that can happen during our precious home school time as well. A light went on for me that day as I realized that we are in a battle for every good work we do. It is good works that we are trying to accomplish in our home school. Children may be stronger in spirit today. They may require different methodologies or may be one of the noble and great ones, but more than ever they trying to do what we did in our generation on top of fighting off the grand opposition of Lucifer and his legions in their latter days.
Realizing these principles helped me to prepare myself and my character so that I can embrace the challenge of offering a home education to my children. A firm hold on the principles of 'opposition in all things' and 'agency' help me keep perspective and more fit to meet the battle.
We are a preparedness-minded people and it goes without saying that preparation and order in the home school will help bring about the delight of learning and help soften the moments of frustration. When I bring myself fully to the day, I can help my students bring themselves.
Learning to self-govern is also a key preparatory element. We are taught as members of the Church that we need to learn to control (govern) ourselves, our attitudes, feelings, and appetites. We need to learn and practice reason. Cause and effect lessons are good ways to help children learn to self-govern. If your home school has students with strong natures, structure and a few policies will help keep a spirit of learning in the home classroom.
Some of the additional tips that have helped me is allowing more involvement. Whether that is letting them 'play teacher' to teach back what they have learned. Or in allowing choice in what lessons are done first. As a classroom teacher, I had a flow I liked to follow. Sometimes letting my home schoolers pick the order of the day helped them feel more in charge of themselves and lessons the war of wills.
Allowing natural consequences to occur as they involved with decisions helps teach them about choice and consequence. This also opens up the opportunity to teach the principle of opposition. We aren't always going to have good days. We aren't always going to enjoy the subject matter. Learning to handle stresses in the day or disappointments help strengthen them for days ahead.
I saw a sign the other day that said, "Keep calm -- and carry on." We have one better, D&C 101:16 '..be still, and know that I am God.' In a world of chaos and boundaries out of control one of the most important lessons we are teaching our children is control their will. This is a character trait that will bless them in the years ahead of them. From this strenght comes the ability to step out in faith as they make decisions. It blesses them with a peace beyond their own. It encourages humility as they learn to yield their will.
As mothers of home schoolers we have an incredible opportunity to build our own character as we help to fashion the characters of the precious children placed in our care. We are blessed beyond measure with the choices we have made to home school our children. It won't always be easy to see the blessings, but we all know that the 'witness comes, after the trial of our faith.' Ether 12:6
God, is a fourth-watch God. So be still and be of good character. The powerful will of the latter-day spirit is a necessary asset to the God's plan. We were given the tools we needed to help and teach them. Find strength in that and be immovable.
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