Apparently, I'm not the only one who experiences homeschooling frustration! Pioneer Woman just posted a great piece on the very subject. If you have time, I suggest reading here.
I guess my children are not the only homeschoolers who do not dash to the table each morning, begging to learn quantum physics and organic chemistry while rewriting Shakespearean plays to make them more pertinent to our times. Seriously, though, it's nice to know that, while we all have those perfect moments occasionally, we all also face the less ideal ones as well. It's not that we've failed to make the work interesting or failed to follow their passions adequately. Just like the rest of us, children don't always want to do the task at hand.
The real issue for me then become how to address that. I think child-led learners will probably back off at this point. Others will say that there is value to be found in learning to persevere despite a lack of inclination. At least for me, the task will involve balancing my need to be compassionate and protect their natural curiosity with my need to see that they continue to make reasonable progress in their education.
And I'm sure I will be revisiting that issue as long as I am homeschooling.
I guess my children are not the only homeschoolers who do not dash to the table each morning, begging to learn quantum physics and organic chemistry while rewriting Shakespearean plays to make them more pertinent to our times. Seriously, though, it's nice to know that, while we all have those perfect moments occasionally, we all also face the less ideal ones as well. It's not that we've failed to make the work interesting or failed to follow their passions adequately. Just like the rest of us, children don't always want to do the task at hand.
The real issue for me then become how to address that. I think child-led learners will probably back off at this point. Others will say that there is value to be found in learning to persevere despite a lack of inclination. At least for me, the task will involve balancing my need to be compassionate and protect their natural curiosity with my need to see that they continue to make reasonable progress in their education.
And I'm sure I will be revisiting that issue as long as I am homeschooling.
Hi Annie,
I read your previous post and this one. Here are my thoughts. As a child led homeschooler, I have followed their lead always. But when it came to their choice of learning and their paths of whatever the responsibility they took, if they had issues with it, we talked and discussed it out openly. We have dropped things, changed courses, taken diversions etc etc. I have given them freedom to do all that. I think learning and keeping at such a learning should come from within the child. For some, it comes early and for some, it takes time. But when given the gift of time, and right environment, such time always comes.
I would separate the issue of if the child is lacking interest, versus a distraction the child is having at that time or week. In the former, you clearly need to drop whatever mode and find other means, and for the latter, you need to wait it out for the time to set right. You can also chat about it and let them see the valuable time slipping away from what they wanted to do because of the distractions. But, I would not worry too much about it really.
You rather have independent thinking, knowledge seeking and learning kids, (even if you think it is in spurts, although I would disagree), than 'programmed' kids...the kids that does what is being told for, for the sake of finishing something..and is expected to get done(even if it is his choice of topic and has no inclination for it at that moment). I know it is hard to see your child not complete the task at hand...but really, is that the only way to learn anything...I see learning in children, as introducing new foods to the baby...it takes time, and it takes multiple attempts, and it takes lot of variety and gift of time(squash as means of juice, mashed food, mixed with rice, pasta, etc etc,,at different points, days, times, places and even letting different family members monkey around the baby to mask the food in laughter and feed it....you get the point:))
Relax, and enjoy those moments, really!
-Subadra
I LOVE the Pioneer Woman blog and I am right there with her! We started six weeks ago and I am dragging. I think I may have the perfect solution. We are taking a week of vacation. We had already planned our camping trip for October months ago. It seems that it was almost providential that it falls when I feel the need the most. I hope my kids feel re-energized when we return. If I survive the packing and 4 hour drive, I might be ready for another 6 weeks.
Hi Michelle,
That can work too;) a mini vacation break. What a great idea. That is something we have done too, and 'I' seem to have needed it a lot more than usual. These days, we take off every two weeks, kind of a three day vacation; even if not far drives, we just hang out and chill...but it always re-energizes me and kids.
Have a fun camping trip
And Annie, may be that is what is needed for your boys too:)
Subadra