passionate reading
originally published September 22, 2012
The first time we walk through the process of teaching a child to read, whether actively or passively, we learn how to do it ourselves. We re-learn, in a sense, the beautiful process of reading. And the next time we walk through the process, it is more familiar, more relaxed, more fun.
In a way, the process of teaching a child to read becomes a forerunner to teaching all things...honing the power of observation with love and patience. We allow ourselves to become completely wrapped up in the process of learning, we learn to observe. We learn to teach. We learn to guide a developing mind.
We learn passion. Passion, my friends, is probably the greatest tool for teaching at our disposal. It doesn’t really matter what we are passionate about, it’s contagious and enthusiasm will cover a multitude of ills. My parents are really passionate people. Their stuff they get all wound up about is different than mine, but it don’t matter. I’m passionate about other stuff. Not hunting of fishing or quilting or making the best pasties on the planet.
It is difficult to be passionate unless we completely give ourselves up to something. Entering into the process, just for a couple of minutes at a time is an important aspect of working without curriculum. Parents, you are the curriculum. Even if you are using curriculum for this subject or that, in schoolroom Life, you are it.
Give it up for all your worth.
Set aside thinking about other things while you are working with your kids. Setting aside a time of day, that is just for sit down work, and a time of day that is just for housework prevents us scrambling and shuffling aimlessly from one task to another, not really getting much done. At our house, I actually only do sit down work with one child at a time. The others can work on things they do on their own, like music, or their chores. or reading. Sometimes little bit older kids would help me with toddlers for a short time while I did sit down work. If they have all of their things done, they can just play. I believe I actually get more done and in a shorter time than if I “juggle” two or more kids at once.
I think the same rings true for housework. When I try to “fit it in” between kids or subjects or other activities…I seem to get a lot of nothing done. But when I schedule it. Okay, after lunch, I’m going spend an hour (interrupted, of course) getting laundry done. It doesn’t take an hour to throw a load in the washer, one in the drier and fold one load. But it does with a few kids, diapers to change, owies to fix and fights to break up.
Give yourself up to the laundry, girls. Live the Laundry.
