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Learning is Family Affair
By
Marilynne Eichinger
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My daughters have chosen two
different approaches to educating their children. One has
been doing an excellent job home schooling while the other
sends her children to a wonderful public school. Both
women, however, supplement the formal curriculum with an
informal one by taking family field trips, visiting
museums, and participating in activities such as scouting,
music, and sports. They spend time with their children and
work with them when they need help.
My girls also involve their extended family and friends in
educating their children. Though the children live in
different states they are often sent to visit aunts,
uncles, and grandparents. These relatives develop a
special relationship to the children, and introduce them
to new ideas and community.
Education is best communicated through example. This means
that if you are a reader and make time to cuddle up in a
chair for reading, your children will most likely read as
well. Visits to the library and bookstore as well as quiet
time at home create good readers.
To enhance the idea of family and reading, continue to
read books out loud even when your children are older. You
might try reading a play together. During holidays, play
readings are a great way to enjoy a common experience. Not
only does it bring the family together, but it gives you
something shared to discuss.
If you have art on the walls at home be sure to talk about
the pictures and objects. Tell your children where and why
you selected the particular object. A well designed and
personal home environment is a statement about your life
and values. You can stimulate your children to think about
themselves by letting them design their own bedroom space.
Likewise, landscaping, gardening, flower arranging, and
birding are easy activities to do with a child and a great
way to introduce the natural world.
Introduce your children to the great outdoors through
hiking, camping, skiing, and boating. These activities are
not only healthy but provide a good opportunity to
demonstrate how to be an environment caretaker by picking
up trash, and thoroughly putting out fires. The way you
act in the wilderness says more than all of the books you
read or words you say. Your example will decide whether
our animals and plants are going to be protected for
future generations.
Learning starts with adults who by example set the
education stage. This is why we have added so many new
products for adults. By showing children that you read,
embrace a healthy lifestyle with plenty of physical
exercise, and cultivate the arts and sciences you
demonstrate that learning is lifelong. We make it easy for
you to become your child’s home or school educator by
providing books, materials, and kits with well written
instructions. Your thoughtful involvement gives the
message that learning is enjoyable and to be cherished.
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