Present day we have a 5 year old, 3 year old and 1 1/2 year old. Our 5 Troy knows how to read and write. Mainly because I hit the academics hard with him at an early age and he is the kind of kid that does well with structure and a class room, sit down type setting. I backed off with Troy for a while as God convicted my heart that I was trying to make sure my kids knew how to read above all else. The English language is my greatest weakness and it affects every other subject. There was a heart issue that needed to be dealt with. I was trying to fix what I don't like about myself in my kid. That's like parenting 101 what to never do ever with your kids! I may have had a 4 year old how could read and I could brag about but the motive was super off. I was encouraged by a wise and dear woman in my life to slow down. Teach my kids how to do life and do it well. For the last year or so I have had troy read books here and there but really spent the bulk of our days at home learning how to be a team and run the home together. Teaching things like cooking, cleaning, setting the table, doing loads of laundry, putting away the laundry, playing with the dog, and so on. Just everyday life stuff. Its amazing how much to can teach your babies in running the home. Heart issues, problem solving, math, reading, writing and most of all appropriate interaction with others. If you are going to do life tasks with 3 little ones you really have to slow down! I had to search my heart for idols like "my way," "perfect," and "efficient." None of these things are bad in and of themselves but if worshiped will cause you to be frustrated in parenting and frustrated quickly!
Our home by no means looks perfect....ever but it is maintained. Our kids understand the concept that life is work and play is a reward. We work and do lessons 5 days a week. We have what we call "play day." This is also Mom's bible study day. No chores just play. I of course continue to maintain the home but not to the level or intensity of a "regular" day.
Now that things are running more smoothly at home I felt is was time to implement a little more structure into our lessons. Currently we are going through the Alphabet. One letter a week. This week (my first week of actual preparation and lesson planning) we are learning about the letter "E." I asked the boys if there was anything they would like to learn about that stared with an "e" sound. They said EGGS! So I went to the library (BY MYSELF!) and got 8 or so books on eggs. I pinned a ton video's and craft ideas on Pintrest having to do with eggs. I started into this week with a plan for each day. Books, crafts, and games all having to to with eggs and incorporating reading, writing and math. It took probably 2 hours on my "weekend" and now I wake up with a plan to teach each day already ready to go! This is so exciting! I understand that this is probably very basic to the experienced Home Educator but I am in the beginning stages and just wanted to share as I go through the process God has for us. I'm sure next week will look a little different.
To encourage anyone who would like to educate at home but think they can't. Let me tell you if I can do it any one can! I also want to mention that I don't think school at home is "the way." I think God calls different families to function in different ways. School (lessons) at home is what we believe God has for us.
If you have any tips on educating my babies I would love to hear them!
 |
| Had to get tires on Dad's Truck so we did 1/2 our lesson there. |
 |
| Crunched up egg shells from eggs that were given to us from a farm |
 |
| Beautiful! |
 |
| One on one time |
 |
| building |
No comments:
Post a Comment