"Education is not filling a bucket, but lighting a fire."
I have been thinking so much lately about what I am teaching my children, esp. Jace, who is at such an age where she is literally a sponge soaking up everything that I say and/or do. I, personally, like structure in most areas of my life. And this is a reasoning I have used when I have attempted to ever formally "teach" Jace anything academic, or otherwise. She, on the other hand, has rebelled at every formal attempt that I have made. I will admit, this had frustrated me to no end. I, as a child, could sit FOR HOURS and read or be read too. Jace simply can not abide it (at least not right now). I am learning that with her, everything needs to be more active: our play time, our school time, our prayer time. I am slowly adapting to the needs of my child. Another thing I have learned about my unique, individual, beautiful daughter is that she thrives on a little time away from me. Just a couple of hours a couple days a week. It seemed almost like a failure to admit that to myself. And I am still dealing with the repercussions that this knowledge evokes in my heart.
But I am slowly reading through some books that have pointed out that there are different ways to teach your children. There are so many different philosophies that it has made me realize that adapting to the educational needs of our children is actually the best way to help them grow. I am still such a novice in this area that there is no way that I could write intellectually on this subject, but suffice it to say that it has been consuming my thoughts for some time.
I am a big fan of education outside the home. But I am also becoming wary of the institutionalized public school system. Especially a public school system that seems hell bent on removing Christ from our language (pardon the pun.) The more child psychology I read, the more I realize that a cookie cutter education, where the curriculum is the same day in and day out for every single child in the classroom, does not seem to be the most beneficial to the students there to receive that education. I also recognize the reality of the classroom. It would simply be too hard to allow 30+ students to follow 30+ curriculums. And 30+ students, in and of itself, makes me question the amount of quality one one one time that I personally feel students need to have to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Don't get me wrong, I know MANY teachers, and knowing them is what makes me want to give my children the opportunity to learn from other amazing individuals. But I also hear the harsh realities of their jobs, their frustration with the "political" system of the school system, another harsh reality of parents not taking an interest in their children's school, the limitations they face with the curriculums, etc. I have a desire to be a teacher myself, and more than one person that I know who teaches has told me to do something different. That was a harsh wake up call for me.
I know Jace is only 2 (almost 3) but this is something Trey and I will have to deal with soon. I expressed a desire today that I wished there were half day schools ;) haha. But I was kind of serious too. We have 2 kids right now... I can hardly fathom the idea of paying for even 2 kids to go to private school--- it's not cheap you know.?! But I also can not fathom the idea of homeschooling... and I definitely can not fathom the idea of our public school system either. I don't want what we decide to do to be based on a fear of something worse. If that even makes sense?
this turned into more of a ramble than I meant it too. but this is just something I have been seriously thinking about for some time. thanks for reading.... I am sure this will be a topic of many more posts to come.
