Since making the decision to home school my children, currently ages one and three, I have been researching various methods of home schooling. Over the next few weeks, I’d like to share with you some of the benefits I’ve seen in each of those methods. If you are considering home schooling, this may help you decide where to start. If you are already home schooling, this may provide you with some ideas to enhance what’s working well for you or re-work something that’s been a struggle. To see all posts in this series, please click the tag “home schooling methods.”
We are readers around here! I have always been one to have my nose in a book, and even at ages one and three, my kids aren’t much different. Bedtime stories are an indispensable part of our daily routine, and both kids want a book every time they are in the car. My three-year-old, like most three-year-olds, memorizes his favorites, and I will often catch him dropping a line from a story into our real life conversations (e.g. “Would you like another taco?” “I love tacos! I love beef tacos and chicken tacos. I love big gigantic tacos, and tiny little baby tacos as well!”*)
Reading and writing are absolutely central to a classical education. I couldn’t agree more. No matter what profession our kids pursue, the stronger their reading and writing skills, the more doors will open for them.
A strong emphasis on literacy serves this generation of kids especially well in many ways. In all the chaos and noise of modern life, kids need to know how to unplug and find a little calm. Not many things accomplish this as well as settling down with a good book. Additionally, strong writing skills give our kids the power, both now and as adults, to be clear, compelling voices that, through the wonder of the Internet, can speak to audiences around the world. They are growing up in an incredible time. The power of the written word hasn’t seen a surge like this since Gutenberg.
In the meantime, the government schools are scaling back their focus on literacy. Still trying to decide if you should home school?
*Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin.
