Math, Science, History...
And Much More.
There's a great responsibility taken on by the decision to homeschool. It seems that a most frequent and immediate question once making the choice is,
How do I choose a curriculum?
Which curriculum is best?
While there is no one definitive answer to this question, in our years of homeschooling, I have come to better understand how we are meant to teach-
And it doesn't, at all, come in a packaged curriculum.
Where Learning Thrives
Looking back at your childhood, and that of your own children's, you can see it-
the spark.
Eagerness and excitement to find out more;
how it works, why this happened, what can I learn next?
And learning was a thrill.
Fun and playful, active and enjoyable.
Then, it seems to dim.
Our pleasure in learning is exchanged for indifference.
Why?
I know.
Learning becomes a requirement.
A forced expectation with time restraints and schedules, pressures of proving facts and knowledge gained, and play is replaced with directives and instruction.
Freedom to learn goes lost.
Learning is no longer perceived as a rewarding experience, but rather an obligation.
Once learning becomes a chore, what then are we teaching them?
That learning isn't fun, inspiring, or engaging.
...
In actuality, we as homeschool parents know that learning is just the opposite!
Learning is full of laughter, play, joy, curiosity, and fascination.
Rewarding and empowering.
This is what we, as homeschoolers, are teaching.
That learning is all around us; from the food we eat, to the clothes we wear, to the next thing we lay eyes on- learning is there and waiting for us!
We are teaching that learning doesn't have to be confined to specific hours, curriculum, or appearance.
We are teaching that learning isn't limited to topics deemed worthy of study by others, but that any topic can invite learning concepts.
We as homeschoolers are teaching our children that they have freedom to learn;
in the methods they learn, in the timing they learn, and in the spaces they learn.
We are fueling our children's passion for learning, by giving them the ability to nurture their desire to learn, which was already in them by design.
We are teaching them how to keep their learning spark.
That is how learning thrives.
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