1. Learning time management
We recently had the kids' grandparents over for an extended visit and Grandma made a comment as to how often the kids ask about "the plan"--when we were doing a particular thing, voicing their opinion as to what we did next, or asking about how much time we had until we left to go someplace in particular. I hadn't really given this much notice, but she commented that she could tell my children were not just shuffled from one thing to another, like most school-aged children are these days. Instead, they have a say in when we do what, where we go, and think through for themselves how to manage their time accordingly. I think this skill will serve them well when they are out on their own one day. I have to laugh when we "synchronize our watches" to meet up for a science lesson or when my daughter asks to only watch half of a documentary show because she wants to pen some letters in her bedroom. All the children seem to understand that they have some ownership of their time, and they seem to understand the importance of spending it wisely.
2. Unlimited questions
One thing I notice when we have other children over to play is how few questions they ask. They seem to be content to hear the plan and comply with it. At first, this made me want to resent my own children: why won't they just do as I say...the first time I say it? I'd wonder. However, what I've come to understand over the years is the underlying motive behind many of my children's questions. I've come to realize that they are not (always!) asking a question to challenge my authority or wisdom, but instead, they possess a genuine interest in finding a more efficient way to go about getting to the same end point. While the freedom to ask unlimited questions has led us into greater learning opportunities, I must admit that it has a downside: It can be downright exhausting! I've been known to cut my son off from asking questions after 9pm, as he is following me into my bathroom so I can wash my face for the night. NO more questions until the morning! I've had to tell his sweet face. But no matter how tired I am, his interest always makes me want to smile and marvel at how inquisitive we humans can be!
3. Learning how to budget
This facet of learning has come about largely through giving the kids a weekly allowance, not so much from the fact that we have chosen to home educate. However, I still believe it is linked with homeschooling because our family has the flexibility to shop and use money during the week as we visit stores together and run errands. When asking if he could check Amazon again (his third request in one day), I had to ask my son why. "With money, comes great responsibility," was his response. He wanted to do a few more minutes-worth of researching various 3D printers and filaments, both of which he is saving up for over the course of the next several months. I had to chuckle and willingly gave over my phone for him to peruse--I mean, how could I say no after that reply, right?
4. Off-roading
The longer I home educate, the more comfortable I am when the kids want to take an idea and run with it on their own. This can be a source of frustration for those who like to plan ahead (I've been there!), but what I find has helped me most is to lay out a basic framework for our schooling day, see what the kids end up doing, and then write down what they actually did in my homeschooling planner after the fact. Veteran homeschooler Julie Bogart calls this process "planning from behind." I call it "off-roading." We are still on the path and not really going down a million off-topic rabbit trails, but we are not exactly doing what I had envisioned we'd do either. One recent example of this is our history studies on China. I had laid out picture books and history page assignments as my basic framework for educating us all about this giant eastern nation. In one of the books, my son noticed a detailed entry about terracotta warriors that were recently (1970s) discovered near the tomb of a famous Chinese emperor. Before long, I saw that he had taken out a tub of air-dry clay and gotten to work on his very own terracotta warrior creation. Enjoying a bar of dark chocolate and coffee, I sat across from him at our school table, transfixed. Learning at its core. Off-roading again. By following his lead, I realized at the end of the day we had not only covered history, but also art and archaeology. Score!
I could go on and on...about the benefits of spending more time outdoors, enjoying the freedom of movement throughout the day, growing in compassion as we make meals to deliver to friends or neighbors during the week, and interacting with multiple age groups as we interact with the community on any given day. However, I must stop here! As I mentioned before, this post will just cover a FEW ways that we have learned in unexpected ways in recent years through homeschooling. What a journey! What a blessing!
If you are on the fence about choosing the path of home education, please do not hesitate to reach out, drop me a comment or email, or meet up with me (for those local) to learn more about the joys of homeschooling your children. I trust you will be encouraged and blessed, just as we have through the years, dear friend!
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