how to force kids to learn stuff you think they should know

Even the earthiest of us all sometimes have an agenda. 

My husband, for example, memorized all of the Prime Ministers of Canada.  If he was homeschooling our children, he would probably want them to memorize the Prime Ministers because of how it immeasurably enriched his own life to know this information.

I have always wanted music to be part of the curriculum, even though it can be expensive, time consuming, perhaps not some children’s particular bent, but I feel that I am somewhat arrested in my development because of my lack of musical training.  There is a desire for our children to know or understand particular things whether we recognize it or not.

When it comes to educating our children, depending on the the local laws, or our particular bent, we have our own desires for their education, or we need to conform in some way to the requirements that they must meet.  But, fortunately, there is more than one way to skin a cat.  We need not be “heavy handed” in guiding our children.  We can foster interest in almost anything.

Do you know this expression?  

You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.

Unless you salt the oats.  Salt creates thirst.  So much salt.

Create some interest.  Go on a great field trip.  Watch a great Imax.  Get out all the books from the library you can on a topic.  Buy an amazing Eyewitness book on something you want to jazz them up about.  Read some great novels.  Talk to someone really interesting about what they do for a living.  Go to a living history museum. 

SALT THE OATS.

Make them thirst to know.