I understand this so much better now, but I still have a long way to go. I guess we're lucky in the fact that my little ones are still young (in the Core Phase according to this philosophy) so I have a couple of years to get settled in, find good curriculum, and just study as much as I can For Myself. If the kids see me trying to learn, and even that it can be hard at times, they'll have a better appreciation for it and understand that it's ok if you don't always understand it at first.
This is a whole huge load off of my chest. I've been stressing about James for so long. I know he's learning and there are area's where he's awesome, mainly with his hands and especially with puzzles (and not just jigsaw's either, hidden pictures are a favorite as well). But it's hard to know that he's learning when there isn't phyiscal proof (mainly for the fire-breathing dissaproving inlaws) that he's doing anything. He can't count, he doesn't even know the alphabet song. But he hasn't been interested in learning it and I'm against the whole idea of sitting him down and force feeding the information down his throat.
I got a chance today to spend several hours with someone who has implemented this into her household and it really helped me understand a lot. She has two boys, one in the Core Phase and one that just entered the next phase (not sure about this one, Love of Learning?). Both boys are really smart, and her older one is just phenomally ahead of other children his age but that's because it's just who he is. He's very gifted and his mom says that it's rather spoiled her because it has been so easy with him. Her younger son is just your average kid that's interested in learning but it's not that big of a deal to him.
So, I got to spend the afternoon asking questions and slowly losing a lot of the excess anxiety I've had about James lately, and the kids got to have tons of fun. The family we visited lives way out in the country on a small farm. They have chickens and horses and there's also a pond with ducks and geese. The kids got along pretty well with only minor mishaps. They discovered the toy cash register and James actually made a break through on his change. For some time he's not really understood the differance between the coins besides the size so perhaps that will help him a later better now. He was so frustrated last week because he wanted to play on one of those mechanical toys that takes a couple of quarters. He only had a nickle, but he'd already put it in by the time I found out what he was doing. He was pretty dissapointed when he discovered that a nickle wouldn't work. Charles and James were excited because they got to help gather eggs. And Deedee was happy later because she got to help feed some chickens (and Charles was being his usual demonic self and having a high old time chasing the poor things). They also got to climb on an old combine (all kids should have an old piece of equipment to climb on). So, the kids came home exhausted last night. We'd been having such a great time, that no one even knew what time it was (the sun going down later doesn't help any either when you're still used to it going down around five and here it's almost six and sitll light out :D).
So, I was sent home with a lot of info to mull over as well as come reading to do. I really want to figure this out and make it work. From what little I've been able to read so far, it really resonated with me. Just as much as when I discovered Charlotte Mason last year and I will happily combine these two great philosophies into an excellent education for my little ones.
for considering what will work best for your family, researching it and praying about it. That's one of the best things about homeschooling. And I have no doubt your son will learn all of those "proof" things in time. I pray your family will give loving support rather than disapproval and that God will give you the assurance each of us needs!
INteresting!--I had to google TJ ED because I didn't know what you were talking about, but it really resonated with me as well--the few paragraphs I read. I had already been leaning toward the CM philosophy. Thanks for sharing, and best of luck!
http://www.farmfreshiowa.blogspot.com
The musings of my childrens journey in the wonders of love, life, and spirituality. Love, Live, Laugh, and Learn. That's what it's all about. Welcome and blessed be.
* Carey ~ Beloved husband that puts up with everything.
He's majoring in history, loves to read, play D&D and Mech Warriors.
* Ami ~ Me. Busy teacher and housewife. I love to spend
time with the kids, read, garden, cook, knit, sew, make my own soaps
and salves.
* James ~ Our oldest at five. He loves to build with blocks, enjoys the guitar, adores robots and believes he
can't live without his trucks (and skateboard).
* Charles ~ My little monkey! Our youngest son at four, he
is the most precious gift ever recieved on a birthday.
He's a wonderful, sunny little guy that's very inquisitive and artistic.
* Meradydd ~ Our oldest daughter at three.
An opinionated and exceedingly bossy little girl with a temper to match her copper hair.
My little fashion diva that loves shoes, furlies, & hair pretties.
* Kathrynn ~ Kitty is my 1 year old little angel. She's a beautiful, mellow little girl that's extremely patient but is also starting to show her claws.
Abraham Lincoln ~ You have a Bible and a library card what more could you possibly need? You prefer the Charlotte Mason Method of reading living books for everything: historical fiction, biographies, real histories, nature guides, etc. No soon-to-be-outdated textbooks for you. Visit my blog: Guilt Free Homeschooling Take this quiz!
Posted by Jessica 
Apr. 9, 2008 - I applaud you
Blessings
Robin