Journey of Learning

Many years ago, psychologist Howard Gardner, Harvard University and co-director of the Harvard Project on Human Potential, identified seven forms of human intelligence, only two of which he says are developed by the current structure of schools: linguistic, which is learning through words, and logical-mathematical, which is learning through concepts. Much ignored in schools, he feels are:

• bodily kinesthetic - learning through tactile and bodily sensations
• musical - learning through melody and rhythm
• interpersonal - learning through positive social interaction
• interpersonal - learning through self-paced, independent study

Gardner maintains that IQ testing and the concept and development of intelligences in schools is extremely limited. His thoughts on the subject are that a full learning environment for a child includes a curriculum that addresses every form of intelligence, taking into account each child’s individuality and unique learning style. Many people feel that schools can stifle the intellect and creativity of kids by making them too concerned with pleasing adults, following orders, avoiding mistakes, competition, and failing.

Children must be encouraged to learn for the satisfaction of knowing, and because of interest in an area. Insignificant rewards, like grades, honor rolls, stickers, etc., are damaging in that they destroy curiosity and pride by being too focused on end goals and achievement. Children are bored by dull, repetitive tasks, which allow no opportunities for the discovery of the simple joy of life and learning.

A stifling and restrictive environment, where individuality is not encouraged, is not an ideal place for anyone to learn. Teachers cannot do, even in a whole day, what a loving and concerned parent can do in one to two hours in a home environment.

I think the most frequent comment I get is “they need friends” or “they need to learn from their peers.” Since when do our children NEED to learn how to use foul language, disrespect elders and peers, learn about “sex education” at 7 years old from peers or teachers; those are things that our children can do without.

Our children will learn that there is plenty of disrespect in this world without learning it at such young ages and our children do need to learn about reproduction, STDs, drug use, etc., but those are things that should be taught at an age of understanding, not starting in 2nd grade. Our children will rarely be exposed to those things at such a young age if educated at home.

Homeschooled children have plenty of opportunity for true socialization with all age levels, not just same-age peers as in the public and private school systems. There are homeschool groups that have park days and field trips. Some groups have co-ops where the parents each teach a different class to the children. There are sports groups, 4H, Boy/Girl Scouts, AYSO, Little League and many other activities you can involve your child in where there will be peers of the same age, as well as others.

Homeschooled children are not perfect, you’ll still run into issues with other families, children or adults, having a different standard of rules/morals and that’s okay. One of the benefits is that you can make the choice of whom your family associates with and they will also learn to respect those differences, more so than they would in a setting with minimal adult supervision.

Most homeschooled children are capable of maintaining a conversation with an adult as well as other children about most topics…if they have the necessary knowledge…of course they couldn’t discuss the book War and Peace yet, but they will, in time.

It’s certainly not an easy task but its definitely rewarding in the end, to see our children grow up and become adults, knowing we had such a major hand in the growth within all aspects of their lives. Do not jump into the decision to homeschool without considering all the ramifications and know that it is a commitment to take seriously.

There are days you will throw your hands in the air and quit, the next day you’ll be back at it, full swing.

You may completely give up and enroll your child back into school and that’s okay too. Homeschooling is not for everyone and there are sacrifices to be made. If you’re currently a 2-income family you have to consider loss of income, finances, a complete change in lifestyle for the entire family. At the same time, your children will get the education they deserve, not a second-rate governmental education that teaches our children what they want them to learn, not what we want them to learn or what our children want to learn.

As a home educator, you must give your child the opportunity to learn from you as well as others. Give them an environment full of books, things to build, experimenting with science, nature, etc. Let them learn their family history and true “living” history from a grandparent or great-grandparent. Visit homes for the elderly and let your children learn from them as well! They may not be family but your children can certainly learn what it was like to actually live during various war-times, depression or emigrating from other countries. It is always better to learn from real life experiences than a textbook! And honestly, the best teaching usually occurs when the teacher or facilitator is learning right along with her students, you can discover meaning and uncover knowledge in the process of teaching. Additionally, it should be a goal to guide children to learn on their own, be a facilitator, not a lecturer. Secure, self-directed children know when they need help, to ask. If they don’t know something they will usually admit it and then begin searching for the answer, with or without your assistance. To teach successfully, you must recognize the learner’s desire and then help them seize the opportunity to learn it. If I don’t know how to assist my children when they ask me for help, I feel that I am duty-bound, as their teacher, to try to help them discover how they can receive good assistance elsewhere.

The biggest questions I think parents fear, are:

• Am I capable of teaching my children?
• How am I going to teach them how to read, do algebra, physics, etc?
• What about socialization?

Do not worry! Almost anyone can educate their children at home and their children will excel! We can all sit in a classroom for 4-5 years and learn educational theories and methods, then come out with a piece of paper stating we’re certified, but that does not mean we are qualified.

There are five main things you should consider and remember for your family and you will have the ability to teach your children: meaningful learning, family changes, socialization, your family doesn’t have to be perfect and remember to have fun!

You must be willing to let the child lead you in what they want to learn. Meaningful learning can occur only if the learner actively wants to learn, gives his consent to learn from a particular teacher, unless he wants to be self-taught, and initiates the learning process. In other words, the desire to learn comes from within and not from being forced on the outside. As we can see with our failing education system, one can even do great harm to a learner by trying to make her learn against her will.

There are many ways for homeschooled children to meet others. Studies have shown that homeschoolers have a more positive self-image than their public or privately schooled peers. They are more likely to have friends of different ages and to be free of the cliqueish, exclusive behavior so common in schools.

Here are a few ways homeschoolers meet and socialize with other young people:

Neighborhood kids
Church youth groups
Boy/Girl Scouts
Indian Guides
YMCA
4-H
Community Sports Teams (AYSO, City Rec. Centers)
Community theatre, music, art, gymnastics or dance classes
Community Groups/Clubs (Chess, Computers, Toastmasters, etc)
Homeschool support groups’ park days/activities

Getting your children involved with volunteer opportunities is also a good way to meet others of all ages and ‘walks of life’. It will also give them a feeling of accomplishment in helping others, which is possible no matter what their age.

Home Learning and Home Teaching require dedication, patience, and a time commitment on the part of the parents, but does not require formal education in the parent’s background. John W. Taylor’s national studies found that home teaching success has very little to do with the education of parents. This calms many doubts about the ability of parents to create a learning environment for their children.

To go one step further, parents don’t have to be “teachers”. They can instead be guides on their child’s adventure of learning, just by involving him/her in their everyday activities, and encouraging the child’s curiosity and exploration. Home Learning families can generally spend less time teaching something at home, than it takes a teacher with twenty to forty pupils to accomplish. Most of this can be attributed to the one-on-one interaction between the parent and child. Small group/focused learning, occurs in a quieter, less distracting environment at home, as well as in safe, secure, comfortable, and familiar surroundings.

There is no evidence whatsoever that indicates that parents are not “qualified” to teach their children. A degree in teaching does not make a good teacher. A parent who is caring, involved, constant and truly cares about a child for who he/she is, will be their child’s best teacher.