My firstborn was full of ATTITUDE from Day One!  She needed a lot of “Shaping of the Will”, but she (AND I) have come a very long way and for the most part now share a respectful and delightful friendship! 

But…  I am still figuring out how to get her head out of the clouds and her feet solidly on the ground! 

I have a hard time being too terribly provoked by this characteristic, because in this area…  she is SO like ME!  

I, too, was often caught reading in bed LOOONG past my bedtime. 

I, too, was (and AM) a doodle-bug!  You can find my embellishments on grocery lists, sermon notes, letters, cards and just about anywhere my pen has been! 

I, too, will glaze over and respond with the ever intelligent, “HUH?” 

I, too, cry at sappy songs and greeting card commercials.    (Don’t EVEN get me started!) 

I, too, get that far-away look in my eye whenever I see a baby! 

I, too, am disillusioned and hurt easily. 

I, too, am a DREAMER!  

What works to engage this kind of mind? 

1. NARRATION: When a child knows they will be asked to recount what they have learned they will tune in more carefully!  Also, the act of SAYING it will help a child make connections and sort out the facts from their own meanderings.
2. MEMORIZATION: Rote memorization works in much the same way as narration to keep the mind in clear focus and to make a habit of good study traits!  We do a lot of Scripture Memory in our home and let me tell you, it is a lot easier to have a child quote the God-given command back to you than to give a lengthy lecture that will probably be mentally escaped in favor of “dreamland” anyway!
3. HAND-ON ACTIVITIES: One essential way to keep your Dreamer’s attention is to bring the action to the rest of the body… not just the mind.  Whatever you are learning… take it just a step or two further! This could include, (but is definitely not limited to):

a.making up motions for memory verses and songs

b.learning sign language

c. lapbooking and/or scrapbooking

d. nature notebooks

e.  building dioramas and other 3D reports

f. collecting and sorting rocks, shells and other items.

g.learning and practicing baking, sewing, sports, yard work and other useful, but potentially FUN life skills.

h. drama, puppet shows, dance, music…  the performing arts give imagination a focus.   

4. ACCESS to ART SUPPLIES: have a time and a place for creativity.  My children have been known to use scraps of fabric, tape, string, paper, glue, cardboard boxes, markers and glitter to make the most beautiful messes of all.  When given a subject to explore they may learn best this way!  

When her book work is done, I try to give Kaitlyn plenty of room for dreaming…  just so long as she learns to stay focused before she is eligible to get her driver’s permit in just a few months!  YIKES!  

Lovingly and Prayerfully,

Christina 

Christina and her family are in their 11th year of homeschooling.  They believe that it CAN be done despite the many challenges of life! Every member of a family brings its own unique needs and blessings.  Maybe some of what they have learned can be a blessing to YOU!

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