Apr. 29, 2009 - Trusting Conversation

During the lead up to Easter I so enjoyed the time with my children.  We read books, we talked and we did a little recording of our learning.  I have been challenged with the idea that I need to trust conversation to educate my children.  I know it works  - I see the kids learning from our family conversations all the time, but I have held onto the format and security of FIAR for so many years it is hard to let it go.

So I am facing a season of change.  I have seriously looked at FIAR to see if it is helping me reach the goals that Ihave for my youngest two and I am sad to say it is not (It used to but it isn’t now).  I have stretched it out for as long as I possibly can and now I have to say goodbye.  (sigh!)

My current goals are:

1.        To spend relationship building time, where we can talk and laugh together, where we can dig into things that answer questions rather than get through lesson plans

2.       Have activity (both family life and learning specific) where we can talk about the things of God naturally, and where the children have opportunity to work on their character choices.

3.       To increase in study skills – narrations, asking questions, research skills, and writing.

Seeing those goals on paper is a bit odd, they are goals that can be met by FIAR (and have done so over the years) but I have turned this great resource into a curriculum and it drives me to complete lesson plans, rather than live life with my kids!  I need to give myself the tools and methods that help me today to be with my kids.

Another goal that I have that maybe isn’t so much specific to my children is to read all those books I have stockpiled to share with my children,  ‘one day’.  Now is going to be that one day.

So my plan is to spend my time with two focuses –

1.        Basic skills – this covers math, reading, writing, typing – the things that need daily instruction and practice.

2.       Instruction  time – this is where we will study Bible, Character and/or General Knowledge.  During this time we will read books, talk, write, draw, take photos, research the internet, hang out the washing, paint pictures and discover the world!