Educating from Birth
Natalie asked:
Where did you hear about the concept of starting "schooling" with children so young? I am very interested to hear more as it sounds like something I would like to consider doing with my babies.
I don't really recall hearing the concept of educating children from birth from any particular place it is just something I have always felt I would do whenever I had children. I used to teach violin lessons and from that I learned that young students usually learned best. Why? Well, my theory was that they had little to cloud their brain and so they were much more able to focus.
Yes, it does require more repetition and patience to teach younger students, but once they learn something, they usually have it learned for life.
When my youngest brother was first born (Zachary is now six), Mom wanted to have us all be involved in his life and education. So, almost from his birth, she had scheduled times where we were to teach him things. One of us read to him, one of us taught him sign language, one of us sang with him, and so on (I have six siblings ages 26 to 6 in case you are wondering). From getting to experience him learning things from birth firsthand, I began to realize that every young child has great potential in what they can learn which is often overlooked. It is so rewarding to have some of the first words out of a child's mouth be Bible verses!
Jesse and I have been reading Ten P's in a Pod and we have been so inspired (I HIGHLY recommend this book! It is a wonderful family read-aloud). This book is the story of the Pent family-- a family of ten who travelled the country together preaching and sharing Christ with others. One thing that they practiced daily was to read the Bible for 30 minutes after every meal. Each family member, who could read, would read 2 chapters each. After a few years of this, many of them knew books of the Bible by heart, without even trying to memorize them.
This book is packed full of great stories, encouragement, and challenge, but two things which really stood out to me were:
1) Mr. Pent required all family members to be present at all family Bible readings. Even the infants were present. If they were asleep, he would have them woken up so that they could hear God's Word read.
2) One thing which is reiterated again and again throughout the book is that the years between zero to three are the most formative years in a person's life.
Jesse is often remarking about how defunct the public education system is. Not only is it unconstitional and based upon a Darwinian model of peer segregation (I won't get onto my soapbox on the public education system in this post... maybe later!!), but they completely miss the boat in making children wait until they are passed the most formative years of their life to begin teaching them "skills" and "knowledge." Whoever came up with the idea that we must make a child wait until they are five to start kindergarten? Why not educate from birth?
****I plan to post more on specific things I did with my younger brother and what we are specifically using with Kathrynne since some of you have asked. I am working on putting together a couple of products which are things I use with Kathrynne and I think other families might enjoy. I am considering selling these on Biblical Womanhood to assist mothers in teaching their young children. Is there an interest in products like this? Drop me an e-mail if you are interested and let me know specifically what you might be interested in. ****
Where did you hear about the concept of starting "schooling" with children so young? I am very interested to hear more as it sounds like something I would like to consider doing with my babies.
I don't really recall hearing the concept of educating children from birth from any particular place it is just something I have always felt I would do whenever I had children. I used to teach violin lessons and from that I learned that young students usually learned best. Why? Well, my theory was that they had little to cloud their brain and so they were much more able to focus.
Yes, it does require more repetition and patience to teach younger students, but once they learn something, they usually have it learned for life.
When my youngest brother was first born (Zachary is now six), Mom wanted to have us all be involved in his life and education. So, almost from his birth, she had scheduled times where we were to teach him things. One of us read to him, one of us taught him sign language, one of us sang with him, and so on (I have six siblings ages 26 to 6 in case you are wondering). From getting to experience him learning things from birth firsthand, I began to realize that every young child has great potential in what they can learn which is often overlooked. It is so rewarding to have some of the first words out of a child's mouth be Bible verses!
Jesse and I have been reading Ten P's in a Pod and we have been so inspired (I HIGHLY recommend this book! It is a wonderful family read-aloud). This book is the story of the Pent family-- a family of ten who travelled the country together preaching and sharing Christ with others. One thing that they practiced daily was to read the Bible for 30 minutes after every meal. Each family member, who could read, would read 2 chapters each. After a few years of this, many of them knew books of the Bible by heart, without even trying to memorize them.
This book is packed full of great stories, encouragement, and challenge, but two things which really stood out to me were:
1) Mr. Pent required all family members to be present at all family Bible readings. Even the infants were present. If they were asleep, he would have them woken up so that they could hear God's Word read.
2) One thing which is reiterated again and again throughout the book is that the years between zero to three are the most formative years in a person's life.
Jesse is often remarking about how defunct the public education system is. Not only is it unconstitional and based upon a Darwinian model of peer segregation (I won't get onto my soapbox on the public education system in this post... maybe later!!), but they completely miss the boat in making children wait until they are passed the most formative years of their life to begin teaching them "skills" and "knowledge." Whoever came up with the idea that we must make a child wait until they are five to start kindergarten? Why not educate from birth?
****I plan to post more on specific things I did with my younger brother and what we are specifically using with Kathrynne since some of you have asked. I am working on putting together a couple of products which are things I use with Kathrynne and I think other families might enjoy. I am considering selling these on Biblical Womanhood to assist mothers in teaching their young children. Is there an interest in products like this? Drop me an e-mail if you are interested and let me know specifically what you might be interested in. ****
posted by Crystal Paine at 4:27 PM
6 Comments:
At your homeschool meeting did you happen to meet any single moms homeschooling?
I'm a 21-year old mom of a 2 1/2-year old. I "home school", but I also work a full-time job while my son is in daycare.
I would like to homeschool full time but as a single gal I also need to make enough to pay for the rent, insurance, food, etc... I know some people have home jobs, but would they pay atleast $400-500/week? (I get no child support)How would I get started in something like that?
Right now I still live at home with my parents. I can't home school him here because both my parents aren't feeling well these days and they need calm and quiet to rest during the days. So if I wish to home school I'll need enough to pay rent, car, etc.. to be independant. Although I shouldn't need more than $500/week. (about 12.50/hour before taxes.) I have good credit, (if that is worth anything), so I should be able to get atleast an apartment.
I would like, if possible, to do this homeschool full-time by the time he is 4 or 5.
Is there anything you know to suggest?
thanks
I agree that a child should be *discipled* from birth, but not *schooled.*
I think waaaaaaaaaaayyy too much emphasis is placed on academics in our society, to the detriment of real character & discipleship.
Incidentally, your own argument of the ability of young children to learn, is the same argument used by *them* to pull young children out of their homes & place them in the government institutions known as *school.*
Who made the decision for a child to be 5 or so before beginning school? When schools first began in this country, the children had to already know rudimentary skills in the 3 R's before they could ever begin!!!!!!!! They learned those things at home first!!!!! Then the local pastor took over their education. Read Sam Blumenfeld for more information on the history of education.
And think *Discipleship* as you're rearing Kathrynne for the Glory of God!
I enjoy reading all your thoughts. Thanks for sharing your life with us so closely.
Blessings,
Teresa in WV
I am interested in your schooling Kathrynne. I also love 10 P's in a pod. I am reading it outloud now.
A wise older friend visited me after my first was born and she took my daughter around the house and showed her things and talked to her as if she were 6 years old rather than 6 days old. Then, my friend handed me the baby and told me to always show her things and always talk to her. I don't think it's a coincidence that this same baby had a vocabulary of nearly a hundred words by her first birthday.
By the way, I tagged you.
http://mrshappyhousewife.blogspot.com/2005/06/ive-been-tagged.html
Hmm, interesting thoughts! We've never thought of having 'teach' time... However, when Lydia was little we did read to her and sing to her a lot. Children ARE educated from birth regardless, so really it's more a matter of how and what they're learning. I guess (I'm afraid?!) I don't quite see the point in waking an infant... as infants can't understand/comprehend - but I guess it's more the principal of the thing?
With Lydia we actually took a much more relaxed approach to when we started school with her. She was almost 7! Some of us started pretty young and it's been a struggle from the beginning to learn. Why make a kid grow up so fast? Lydia accomplished in one year what took some of us 3 to do. Give their brains time to develop to where they can understand... not just mindless memorization. Ya know? Honestly, I'm not trying to challenge- just some thoughts...
There are so many school's of thought (no pun intended!) when it comes to this. It's rather mind boggling if you ask me! :)
I do hope that as the Lord has led you and Jesse to do it this way that it will prove fruitful and that Kathrynne will grow to be as a "polished cornerstone"! :D
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