In the Development of Being Human What is Three Months

Compared to THIRTY YEARS?

A little boy I happen to know is the subject of todays blog. He has much to teach us, if only we will observe.

Little Brother - motivated by ...other... interests than reading!
He turned seven in August. If he had attended a traditional school, he would have begun first grade at the tender but active age of *just* six, or we would have more likely waited until his more mature age of *just* seven.

Either way, his learning would have been subject to another's agenda, another's time frame. Because we homeschool, I am able to offer an education compatable with HIS agenda and time frame. Why is this significant to me?

Well, three years ago, Little Brother had academic interests that he was able to pursue- in areas of math, physics, culture and more. And while most pre-schools are becoming flexible in offering developmentally appropriate exposure in these areas, we were able to tackle these things at home. Building machines, figuring out money, falling in love with soldiers of all ages- these things Little Brother could pursue at home, for as long as he wanted and with tangents (or rabbit trails) that appealed to him. Even in a good preschool, there would have been the limitations of the school's current unit arc.

At the same time Little Brother is learning what is perfect for HIM to learn, he is not being pressured by trained teachers or by a school system to learn things he is not ready for. The best example for most boys is reading. Most boys *can* read at an early age. However, they are not interested or motivated to do so. The same with Little Brother. He could have been taught to read two years earlier. I could have pressed each day with lessons and it was obvious to me that he would learn. But, his brain and body were geared for different interests, just as noble.

Now, all humans need discipline- the ability to focus and funnel oneself into required work. In addition to discipline, all humans have needs for ease, discovery, exploration, spontanaeity... So we pick our battles in this house. If Little Brother is filling his brain and body with a project, he IS learning discipline. It just may not be the topic of discipline I chose. But when did you ever learn the best? When someone else chose a subject for you or when you pursued your own passion? Young children can learn to discipline themselves- and KNOW themselves - by pursuing their own subjects. A parent's job is to provide an environment where plenty of appropriate subjects are available for harvesting.

Three months ago, had Little Brother been in a traditional school, he would have been a very stressed out little boy. His teachers would have been labeling him left and right as slow to read.

I am grateful that each child is allowed his or her own pace in MY homeschool. Because after three months of not wanting to read, and not being pushed to do so, Little Brother is taking this bull by the horns! Suddenly, his window is open and he is motivated to see reading in a whole new light. He WANTS to read. He wants to break the code and become literate.

And in addition, at my house, Little Brother can focus all his energy on reading, get one on one help with a person who knows and loves him, and he can BOUNCE during the entire process.

For the want of three months, many schools would have ruined his life. He might have carried an imposed label. He might have been exceedingly stressed out. He may have been unable to learn due to the stress or he may have even "gotten in trouble" because of his need to move.

I am so grateful for what God has given my family. Homeschooling can be really hard some days. We do without many things in order to have this safe space. But it is all worth it. I wouldnt trade it for the world.