In the Masterpiece Theater version of "Pollyanna" there is a wonderful discourse between the young niece and her "cold" Aunt Polly, about the planned schedule she intends for the little girl to follow:
"Tomorrow you shall commence a routine," she begins. "Your day will commence with reading aloud to me for one hour after breakfast, followed by rigid monitored private study. After lunch, sewing wtih me, cookery instruction with Nancy, then an orderly walk. Then music, tidying, supper, then bed."
Pollyanna interjects "When do I just live?"
"What?" replies Aunt Polly.
"I know I will be breathing, but thats not living."
"You will be allowed brief intervals in which to play..." her Aunt replies.
As a homeschooling Mom, am I scheduling my childrens day so closely that there isn't any time for purely living? I believe that most of our true education happens as we live our lives. Not through forced scheduling and frantic activity. Education does happen during those times but not the kind I want to see happen in my kids lives.
What about those "divine interruptions" that happen to us? Some of those are the best learning experiences ever! And teachable moments? Let us not schedule so tightly that we don't have time to really learn!
Natural learning, based on the readiness and delight of the child, is true unschooling, and home education at its best.
I think I will just be a "Pollyanna" about it anyway!
I'm so glad we homeschool,
Nancy
Comments
Untitled Comment
7:53 AM, Mar. 13, 2008, posted by
westward
Very good reminder! As spring fever hits, I always feel a little guilty for having a more relaxed schedule. We all want to be outside! It never fails, though, that tons of learning seems to take place outside during their "free time". The unscheduled learning moments are the best! :)
Untitled Comment
1:16 PM, Mar. 13, 2008, posted by
boysrus
Oh, that quote is soooo good! Thank you for sharing this post. I needed it today!
Blessings, Dee
Relaxation
6:50 PM, Mar. 18, 2008, posted by
Nana13
I am a former homeschool Mom with grown up kids and 13 grandchildren. We homeschooled for 13 years. Visit my blog and read the entry about Relaxation. It's so important and believe me, your children will learn just by watching how you handle interruptions. Their lives will never be uninterrupted either. Enjoy - the years fly fast!
