Inspiring Parenting... Creating A Home for Learning

Our parenting philosophy is strong... it is what guides our everyday interactions with Avery and Mary Hannah. It is the reason they are social, polite, curious, and eager to learn. I humbly believe it is the reason that Mary Hannah has such an enormous vocabulary and that Avery is beginning to read at age 3. Not because we are forcing what is unnatural. But because we have
acknowledged our children and their interests and encouraged their potential. I believe these things not with a spirit of pride, but of humility and thanksgiving that I have been around some great people who have lived this example of teaching their children, and have in turn taught me how to let mine grow. (One fine example is my dear friend Rachel.)

This blog post captures the philosophy and presents it well. Here is an excerpt:

"Before we can help our child develop as an individual along the path that God has made for him, we must see and respect him as a person, created in the image of God. We must respect his mind and intelligence. We must be attentive, attuned, and responsive to our child in order to help him thrive and learn in the way that is best for him.

We need to take this seriously, making a point not to get overly busy or distracted. A mother should certainly have some breathing room and time for so-called "mother culture," but a higher priority, during the years of motherhood, is providing for the needs of the child. (This is a different thing altogether than catering to his demands, disrespect, or impulsiveness, which, of course, we should not do.)

So, know when you need to turn away from the computer screen, put down the book, turn off the television, hang up the phone, push back the sewing
machine, stay home, or let the laundry wait. Stop. Listen to your child. Smile
at him. Go with him to see what he wants you to see. Be interested. Delight with
him. He is a human being whose life and growth-- for good or bad-- are very
sensitive to the atmosphere that is you."

I love the idea of an "Inspiring Home for Learning." One does not have to be a "homeschooler" per say to make the home an inspiring place to learn. Learning should take place all the time, everywhere, in every opportunity. Not just when a child is school age. Begin early, and reap the rewards of a child who loves to learn.