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homeschool as a supplement

Homeschooling As A Supplement Series – Setting the Foundation

As parents, we cannot determine the paths our children will take once they become students. We cannot choose their curricular passions, define their strengths, or overcome their weaknesses for them. We do, however, have the power to propel them towards the outer rims of their potential as lifelong learners. 

To use a sports analogy, think of the alley-oop in basketball, with the parent hurling the eye-catching assist to the slam-dunking child.  Yes, our kids must assume responsibility for actually putting the ball through the hoop, but we can, at the very least, put them in position to seize moments like this when they arise – no matter where we stand on life’s full-length court. 

father and son, homeschool

 

The ways in which we introduce our young children to the concept of learning sets the foundation for how they approach acts of learning as they mature.  As a child myself, I never questioned the idea of learning or going to school.  I essentially thought of learning as something I had to do because I was supposed to, much like getting dressed, brushing my teeth, or making my bed.  I would eventually come to conceptualize learning as something specifically designated for school settings and hours alone.  Why would anyone want to learn anything if they didn’t have to, I thought. 

Truth be told, I did not develop a genuine interest – much less a passion – for learning until I became a college student.  Looking back, I must admit there were certainly aspects of my schooling that I enjoyed: the rush of anticipation on the first day of class; group projects; gym; field trips; comparing report cards; talent shows; pep rallies, etc.  Yet, in light of all these memories, I never saw learning as something that was to be cherished.  Ultimately, I saw the many lessons, class discussions, homework assignments, and exams as fillers wedged between all the other fun stuff. 

If there is anything I have learned while fulfilling the role of an at-home Dad, it is that one of the greatest gifts we can give our children, is to nurture their zests for learning about their ever-expanding worlds. Furthermore, as we sustain and engage this curiosity, I think we must also be intentional about how we choose to talk about learning to our young children. 

father helping son, positioning son

My son is only approaching the age of three, thus we still have plenty of time to chat about the wonders of learning. Yet and still, I think it is important for us parents to have serious discussions about how we will communicate what learning or education is to our children.

As we reflect on our own educational experiences and look to enhance our children’s education, we should ask ourselves:

  • What resonates with us the deepest and why? 
  • What did education mean to us as children, and what does it mean to us now as adults? 
  • What do we want both the idea and act of learning to represent for our children today? 
  • What will be our family’s educational philosophy? 

I ask these questions as a way to approach the topic of learning, and specifically how we, as parents, teach our young children how to view themselves as learners. 

As alluded to in the first paragraph, I have come to view learning as a lifelong process or experience, rather than something that is relegated to the confines of a school building or an academic calendar.  In turn, my ultimate goal is to help sustain my son’s innate inquisitiveness, so that he may still see learning as something exciting, especially as he grows out of his toddler years.

toddler being creative with clay and playdough

I want to present him with a broader view of what learning can be, one in which he sees learning as an intriguing challenge to seek out and relish, as opposed to a chore to complete as soon as possible.  

Mrankin Bio

Wife to an amazing husband, mother to an exploring toddler and an MPA graduate aspiring to impact the world with encouragement in mothering and in social entrepreneurship.

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