Child Interest Led Education
My heart has exploded the last couple months as I have leisurely listened to podcasts about homeschooling. I feel like I am being led to a better and more noble way to see my kid’s education. I have been so inspired by ideas like play based learning, interest led education, and letting kids explore there interests for long periods of time. One book that has been especially meaningful is The Call of the Wild and Free Reclaiming Wonder in Your Child’s Education by Ainsley Arment.
In public school our kids have to sit totally still for endless hours while they are all taught the same things in the same exact way. There is no customized learning or allowing one 1 out of 30 kids to explore there interests. It’s a one size and one curriculum fits all. All of my children are so very different as I will explain, and I’m so grateful that I have the freedom to furnish each of their passions. Perhaps this exploration of interests can often look like play. That is because it is play. This is such a beautiful thing as I will explain how each of my school-aged children are so different with different passions.
“If you trust play, you will not have to control your child’s development as much. Play will raise the child in ways you can never imagine.” ~ Vince Gowmon
Vince Gowman, 2019, Inspiring Quotes on Child Learning and Development, New Earth Marketing, Feb. 17, 2023, https://www.vincegowmon.com/inspiring-quotes-on-child-learning-and-development/
Dinosaur Boy
My rambunctious 7 year old boy needs to be able to get up and jump around during assignments. Oftentimes while he is reading words out loud to me, I will let him jump off the couch or run around the living room after he finishes a page. He often tells me when we’re trying to do school, “Mom, I just can’t sit still. I have so much energy.” Lately, along with all this energy comes a monster size love for dinosaurs and animals.
Artist Baby Girl
With another child I’m starting to realize that she functions very poorly in the morning which was honestly part of the reason to homeschool that child. My efforts at doing morning circle time with all my kids and particularly that child have led to gallons of tears, lots of Tylenol for giant mommy headaches, and angry words. I’m just starting to realize maybe with this child I should give her mornings for independent work and exploration as well as independent funner review. That way she falls in love with the things she likes and we can still love and appreciate each other when she wakes up more. This kid also loves drawing and coloring. Furthermore, she often makes bubble letters and numbers on math and English and everything in between. I love this special piece of my child that makes her so unique from her syblings.
In case you also have a child that loves to doodle constantly and draw on homework pages, I want to give you the same advice my good friend gave me. Foster those qualities, don’t get mad at them. Someday they might lead to a beautiful career, hobby, or service to others. Here are some of the things that I got my creative child. In addition to this, there is a fantastic page on youtube called ArtHub that teaches kids step by step how to draw things. I’m extremely impressed with what my children have been able to draw using this page.
Machine Boy
My other child is my ever helpful and reliable friend. He’s a morning person, and I am not. He gets up early and likes to make breakfast, read a book, or start on his homework. He loves to read while my other kids do not. He loves legos, machines, and inventions.
Conclusion
As home school mommas and families, we not only can look at all the beautiful difference in our children, but we have the pleasure of exploring and feeding interests that they have. What a delight that can be as we place things in there path to allow them to grow and become whatever they want to be someday.