As most of you know, I educate my children at home. I did this originally because I did not find that the way that the schools taught young children actually aligned with what I was being taught in college when I earned my Early Childhood Education degree. From there, I found so many reasons that I wanted to keep my children at home with me. When it boiled down to it, I just felt like no one would care for them the way that I do, and that there are many ways in which to learn, and if for any reason, I did ever want to put my children in school, I could.
As I began, I read every book in the library on homeschooling. They did not have as many as they do now. Then, about a year into my homeschooling adventure, the book, Thomas Jefferson Education was recommended to me. This book follows so much of what I learned in college about children learning through play, and exploration, but went even further as children growing older, and having more responsibility for their own education. The reason that we should give choices to children is that they learn better, and so that the will own their own learning.
There have been plenty ups and downs in the process of home education for me, and my children. I have made mistakes. There has been too much play at times, and not enough learning. Then the pendulum has swung to the other side, and I have forced them to do so much that they would cry. This would usually lead me to crying as well. This last week, I feel that we have come to a more regular flow, and this is because of allowing for there to be choice in my children’s education. This last week, my twelve year old decided he wanted to own his education. He decided by himself that he wanted to make a schedule. Before this, my children had a lot of time to work on their own things, and I would just ask them to do a couple of things with me throughout the day. As he set up his own schedule, I could see that this would make things different.
My twelve year old is a child who goes back and forth between wanting to learn, and just wanting to play, but this week, he had decided that there are things that he really wants to learn. He set up his own schedule every day. In it he included art, writing, spelling, math, history, chemistry, exercise time, and time to play. He even came up with some rewards that he wanted for obtaining certain goals. I know that not every day, or week will be like this, but I know the fact that he is in charge of his own education (even though it still requires a lot of help, and guidance from me), is what will give him the motivation to learn, and to grow into the adult that he is meant to be.
I love the opportunities this provides for authentic learning! It is fantastic that your son is so engaged and motivated with his schedule and learning this week.
I know some kids who were homeschooled, and while there were some disadvantages, their biggest gain was a complete lack of worry over what other kids thought about them. They’re grown now, but I thought it was interesting how they met everyone with no agenda, and with a sense of excitement, always expecting to make a friend.
This is wonderful. I love that your 12 year old’s school week includes exercise time and play. Two very important aspects of learning
Giving kids choices makes all the difference! Thank you for sharing and great job educating them at home 🙂