Eager to Learn
Published by
An Eccentric Housewife
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Of all the things I could do for our homeschooling, being eager to learn things, myself, is probably one of the best. My children have watched me listen to and read books, study and take notes from various sources and experiences, discuss topics with people as we share information back and forth. They’ve seen me take classes and do field work; and heard me spew out information. They’ve seen me pour over a variety of different topics and try a plethora of new things. Even my husband has noticed that I’m always learning, always seeking out answers. I’m the rabbit hole taker who takes all the tangents, too; while really thinking about what I’m reading and if I actually agree or not.
We always hear and read that, “more is caught than taught.” That we need to, “lead by example.” That our kids are watching what we do and learning from us everyday. They are a reflection of us. (Just as, the more we draw near to the Lord, the more we reflect Him, right?)
It’s not something I’ve ever really thought of; my eagerness. It’s just something I do. Yet, I do see that by keeping that child like hunger and wonder, I am leading my children by example.
I see it, especially, with my 2 oldest. They aren’t afraid to question what they are told or what others attempt to teach them. They also aren’t afraid to ask questions and seek out answers for things they are curious about, don’t understand, or aren’t sure if they agree with.
I remember a few years ago, when one of them was frustrated by a professor who kept calling Moses the Jewish Savior. Being a virtual class; one day when this instructor made the statement, my daughter put a link in the chat box and said a simple google search would show you that is incorrect. She was almost amazed at how many of these students didn’t have a clue and blindly believed what this teacher was telling them, with no questions asked.
One of them, when she was younger, was fascinated by nature. We began buying her field guides, showing her websites and even connecting her with a university department that was right up her alley. With a little facilitation and resource provision from us, she taught herself the sounds of various bird calls and frog chirps. She learned to identify all kinds of creatures and differentiate between them. Whenever I find a spider I don’t recognize, she gets a text.
One of them, has found herself educating her friends on basics of their bodies, almost mind blown at the taboos and shaming that still exist, today; the lack of knowledge and understanding is disheartening. She’s become an advocate for educated reproductive decision making. She isn’t afraid to speak boldly and call people out on their false teachings and their uneducated condemnation of others. She cares about the importance of knowing our bodies, how to care for them, and not being ashamed of them. I’m sure she has learned some things from me, but much of what she knows is self gained.
And that is one of the biggest goals of homeschooling. Helping our children to keep their fervor for gaining wisdom, knowledge, and understanding; not becoming apathetic or thinking learning must happen in a certain space and in a certain way.
As an adult, I may take classes, usually virtually that I can do at my own pace. I read books, I experiment, I ask people in the know for information and understanding, I research. Not because I am told to, not because of a grade I might get; but because I want to know.
My friends, learning is a life long adventure. The pressure to meet certain expectations by certain ages, in certain places and in certain ways, is rather idealistic, if you think about your own experiences and the experiences of the people you know. The idea that all kids must follow the same path when each of them is an individual with their own calling and their own purposes; their own gifts and talents; capabilities and interests, really doesn’t make sense to me.
I know what it is to worry if my kids are behind. Am I doing a good job? Are they going to thrive? Are they going to be ready for life outside our home?
Yes. Yes, they are. And even if they face hardships sometimes, it doesn’t mean we failed. We’ve faced hardships that have grown us and led to better things. Even if they are “behind” in an area. It’s so easy to forget that we learn when we want to. In a society that talks more and more about how we treat children and how we need to think that if we struggle with these emotions, we must remember our kids, being human, do too. The same is true for learning. How do you learn, now? They may have a different learning style, but chances are, your children are learning a lot more than you realize. I know mine have, do, and will continue to.
So rise up, be an eager learner, if you aren’t already. Be the change you want to see. Your kids are watching.