Learning never stops. And tons of things can be classified as “learning.” And we want our girls to live a life of learning. And so, the learning goes on, and on, and on, and . . . Well, you get the picture. But how do we actually do that? Imperfectly. But we try.
In some ways, we do really good. Remember my post last week on how we discuss with the girls what they want to learn or give them options to choose from for certain classes? That is one way.
Another is that we pick movies and books to share with them that we think they should know (and love, but sometimes they have their own opinions about that!). Whether it be for our weekly movie night (every Friday) or for our read alouds (whether that is over lunch or in the car on trips), we try to find new and interesting things to share with the girls. Sometimes, we are shocked when they don’t love something as much as we do (The Mouse with the Question Mark Tail) and sometimes, they love it and we get to enjoy it more than once (The Sound of Music, any of the Heirloom Audio Productions, and Little Women/Little Men/Jo’s Boys).
Yet another way is through the outside classes we take them to. All three of the girls take dance classes. One of the girls takes violin lessons. Another takes sign language classes. Another takes piano lessons. Yes, this is additional time and expense but it broadens their horizons in ways that they are interested in. And they absolutely are thriving with these “extras.”
We seek out experiences for them. We go on field trips. We go to the museum or travel to close big cities to visit museums. We go to the beach, the mountains, and visit family. We seek out history. We look for concerts and plays to attend. We are intentional about looking for things to go experience with the girls.
And, we participate highly in church. This may be the last one I talk about but it is the most important and the first when it comes to conflicts. We have an active Lads to Leaders program at our congregation. This is a program that is designed to help encourage, train, and strengthen godly leaders in the Lord’s church. We participate in a number of activities through this program at church, including Bible Bowl, puppet theater, and storyline performances. The girls write speeches, design and put up bulletin boards in classrooms, lead singing in front of ladies’ groups or children’s classes, and read God’s word for the ladies’ groups and children’s classes. We are seeing their skills, leadership, and self-esteem grow. And when we participate in a national conference each spring, the girls get to show off those skills.
Additionally, our congregation has an active youth group. There are many opportunities to serve the congregation and to assist the youth minister with activities for younger kids. There are several service activities each year and a week long mission trip each summer where the youth serve at a children’s home. They also have the opportunity to be junior counselors at a camp session for younger students. Two of the girls are old enough to participate in the youth activities and so we stay pretty busy.
But, since we want the girls to know that every facet of life has an opportunity for both service to others and personal growth, we try hard to open those doors of opportunity as often as we can.
When your family sees life as education and education as life, things overlap quite a bit. That is okay because what an experience it is!
Blessings,
At Home.
Hosted by Susan @ Homeschooling Hearts & Minds, there will be many more blogs sharing ways to include learning outside of the core subjects. Check back late Sunday (1/28) or Monday (1/29) to see the whole list.
This is the final week of the 7th Virtual Homeschool Fair. Our topic is: Enriching Our Learning.
Note: All posts will be live after 8 am EST on Monday, Jan. 29th.
Celebrating 7 Years of Homeschool Support & Encouragement by Susan @ Homeschooling Hearts & Minds
All of the Extras by Christy Schaefer @ Unexpected Homeschool
How To Explore Special Interests In Your Homeschool by Jeniffer @ Thou Shall Not Whine
Learning outside of the box by Dana @ Life Led Homeschool
Putting the Heart Back into our Homeschool by Brittney @ Mom’s Heart
Adding in the Fun by Michele @Family, Faith and Fridays
The Electives We Use in Our Homeschool by Amanda @ Hopkins Homeschool
The Fun Parts of Homeschooling by Annette @ A Net in Time
How we add in the fun stuff. by Kim @ Good Sweet Love
Running – for fitness & fun by Lizzy @ Peaches@Home
Adding in the Extras by Jen @ A Helping Hand Homeschool
What About the Fun Stuff? by Laura @ Four Little Penguins
And the Learning Goes On, And On, And On by Lori H @ At Home: where life happens
Let’s See What’s Out There! (Electives and Extras) by Kym @ Homeschool Coffee Break
At Home 