More on Love of Learning

Continuing my thoughts on Love of Learning Phase of A Thomas Jefferson Education - Leadership Education.

Relating everyday experiences to learning experiences is quite important, though this takes some effort from parents. For me, I know it is so much easier to just give my kids a worksheet rather than look for ways to relate their real world to the world of learning. But I also know, my kids (& I) retain so much more when we the learning becomes "real" to our own world. This also inspires my kids to more learning, possibly on their own.

Parents should also be involved in their own education. When children see their parents continuing their own education, modeling this for them, children will of course internalize the importance of self-education.

To do all of this as a parent requires you to keep your home & family life as uncomplicated as possible. Too many outside activities drive us away from the home and from learning. For our own family, we limit the number of outside activities and our children must decide what is most important to them. All of our kids have been most interested in sports and they can only choose 2 seasons each year. This was one of the best decisions we ever made for our family time. We no longer have sports practices & games every night of the week. There are seasons throughout the year when we have every night at home (more time to read aloud as a family).

Remember too, that the more time your kids are participating in outside activities, the more chances of them bonding to too soon to those outside the home. One way we have tried to eliminate the wrong type of bonding is getting to know other families on our kids' teams. Often times, these are unbelieving families that we can get to know. When we get to know them as a family we have more oversight with our kids' friends. Yes, I am talking about young kids, love of learning kids, not young adults that should be transitioning out of the home eventually.

Time at home, not participating in outside activities, is irreplaceable. We should give it greater esteem than we do. High priorities should be given during the Love of Learning Phase to stimulating and playful activities around the home, even if it looks like they are doing "nothing". It's okay to stay at home. For more info about this whole concept you may want to read my article on "Busy-ness" - click here

taken from A Thomas Jefferson Eduction in our Home

Any other thoughts on Love of Learning?

For more details about Love of Learning phase, read the lecture notes or listen to the 4-cd set on Core & Love of Learning.

Kerry