Last week I attended the Classical Conversations Practicum here in Houston and was immensely blessed. Thanks to some amazing friends who stayed with my three boys (and their own children) I was able to benefit from all the conference had to offer. It was a blessing to see friends from our past campus, current campus and to meet new friends as well.
I thought I would share a little bit of what I learned there.
"Children are souls to be nurtured, not a product to be measured" was the overall theme to much of what we learned about. That as home schoolers, we are to consider the nature of children as we teach them the art of learning. Proverbs 22:15 says "foolishness is bound up in the heart of the child". As such, we must be educating to their nature. So are you home schooling in freedom or fear? Psalm 78:72 uses David the shepherd as an example for us "with integrity of heart, with skillful hands he led them". That is the goal. Also, we teach so that our children will "use knowledge and understanding to discern beauty, goodness and truth". Dorothy Sayers believes in a modern education, "they learn everything except the art of learning". So we must strive that they see the relevance in everything. And everything points back to God. We must contemplate the nature, purpose and propriety of everything.
All this and more was incredibly helpful to encourage me for another full year of educating my children. Lastly, Andrew Kern said "Why are we wasting our time with knowledge and power when we could have wisdom and virtue?".
I've been thinking a lot about the Kerns quote regarding the "nature, purpose, and propriety of things" and the encouragement to teach our kids to be observant. What does "this thing" teach us about its Creator. How can we use "this thing" to honor God? I've also been thinking about the fun of gaining knowledge. Never thought about it that way. And about treating people at souls and not as utilitarian objects. Every person is a precious soul. Good, good stuff. I went to the homeschool store today and saw 2 people from our CC! :) Fun! Wish I got to hang with you more. But good that we had so many ladies to talk to! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat thoughts Desiree! I found it all particularly helpful, especially considering we use the classical model and can fill up with work quickly. In discerning the nature, purpose and propriety of a thing, we inevitably teach our child about God because our nature, purpose and propriety is all rooted in His Word. So any discussion in these things will point them to their Creator.
ReplyDeleteI too wish we had more hang out time! Oh well, we'll have to get together again then :)