"A house of learning"

As we have been implementing the principles of leadership education in our home, we are making learning more of a lifestyle. Our learning principles are relaxed and resemble unschooling. For us, this looks like meaningful "kid school" pretty much every morning where we learn to work and play together as a family while I guide them, present interesting information, and do what we love together. This could mean writing letters, coloring, listening to good books, discussing gospel topics, practicing for church talks, reading scriptures, singing songs, playing math games, doing experiments and so many other fun things. 

But what about the rest of the day? We study and have quiet time where we all do a quiet activity that interest us, like writing an animal explorers book, or cutting and pasting, or reading a good book, and of course we play, play, play! We learn to cooperate, include others, be patient with little ones, wait our turn, be kind, control our bodies, jump, run, observe nature, catch bugs and toads, dig in the dirt, and be creative. The list could go on. As we focus on these simple aspects of life I see my children grow to be happy, kind, and creative people. As we simplify our home with the things that matter most, the essentials, I see the fruits of our labor. 

It is on days like today where I feel overjoyed to see how my children are learning important values. We had the chance to go out to eat with my husband during a weekday, which is a very rare occurrence. My three kids were playing in the play area with another little boy while my husband and I finished our lunch. The little boy had to leave and his mom came and asked us as she was leaving "Are those your kids in there?" I must admit I was a little afraid of why she was asking! I thought one of my kids had hurt her child or something, but instead she said "They played so nicely with my son. They included him in their game. They were so nice!" Wow! I was so happy to hear that. That is where I see the values we are trying to instill in our children in action. I thank Heavenly Father for His guiding hand in our home and in the education of our children. Education is much more than just a means of learning facts and information to pass a test. It is instilling in our children the values that will help them grow to be good happy people who love and serve others, are curious about the world and develop good attributes of leadership. 

"Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God" Doctrine and Covenants 88:119

This scripture is becoming our motto, and we hope to make our home a house of God as we are guided by Him in our homeschooling. 

Butterfly Metamorphosis

For the last 17 days we have experience the wonder of metamorphosis! It has been so amazing for all of us to see these teeny tiny caterpillars grow and grow, develop chrisalides, and emerge as painted lady butterflies! It has reminded me of the wonder of life and the beauty and blessing we have to be a part of it and to witness it first hand. 

We learned about how we develop and improve as we work hard. We also talked about how some things take hard work and patience to develop, but the final reward is worth it! 

We had a fun experience! 

Kidschool and the Closet

My kids are all in what is called core phase. This is a phase between 0 and around 8 years of age where children are naturally curious and where building a strong foundation in harmony, love, knowing right from wrong, family and values, a love of work, play, and learning are all so very important. Almost every morning we are beginning to implement a time called Kidschool. This is a time where we all spend our time together playing, reading a lot, exploring, and just enjoying each other's company. We focus on a very natural type of learning where we all learn and discover together. If I need to cook, they cook with me. If I need to organize a closet, they are involved. This time is so important for all of us to build bonds and learn the importance of working as a family and enjoying it! To me, it's so very important to involve all my kids. They all need my attention, and this is just what our family needs. 

Recently it's been a bit difficult to have harmony in our home with the adjustment of a fourth new baby that has hit us all pretty hard. We are trying to implement a sense of structure and predictability in our home now that the baby is napping just a little bit more regularly. Maybe it's because it's spring or something, but I have been feeling the desire to simplify, simplify, simplify! For us that meant beginning to implement one of the ingredients of Thomas Jefferson Education, the closet. In the closet there are many things for the kids to explore and play with. They range from puzzles, manipulatives, building toys, coloring pages, nature magazines, games, workbooks and some art and writing supplies. The closet is set up so it can be left open during kidschool and the kids can play with the activities and put them back for as long as they'd like. While they play we either listen to books or music while I sit and play with them, or I read to them from our chapter book at the time. This week we are reading The Tale of Desperaux. 

I have had many tender moments this week after months of having days of feeling frustration over not having a very positive spirit in our home. We have felt more peace. We have had less fights and yelling, we have felt the Spirit of the Lord in out home more strongly, and we have truly been feeling the joy of learning. That is my goal! I love it!! Life changes are difficult, and these two ingredients from Thomas Jefferson Education have truly been an answer to prayer this week! 

A Thomas Jefferson Education 7 keys

I have been guided to a wonderful educational philosophy that we are working on implementing in our schooling and life. It is called a Thomas Jefferson Education, Tjed, or leadership education. This philosophy focuses on 7 keys and the idea that there are phases of learning . The goal with Tjed is to raise leaders by providing them with an education to match their potential. This philosophy really resonates with me and the passion I have for my children, their education, and my education as well. 

7 keys

1. Classics, Not Textbooks
2. Mentors, Not Professors
3. Inspire, Not Require
4. Structure Time, Not Content
5. Simplicity, Not Complexity
6. Quality, Not Conformity
7. You, Not Them

My goal this year is to educate myself in Tjed by working on the seven keys certification where I will have the chance to read several books, including classics like Les Miserables and Pride and Prejudice, in order to immerse myself in my education and in turn inspire my children to love learning. My sister and I are excited to work on this exciting new undertaking simultaneously. We are projecting it will take us from 6 to 12 months to complete. It consists of reading several books and recording thoughts, ideas, and plans for ourselves and our family prompted by questions provided by a study guide and essay questions. By the end I hope to be able to more indepthly implement the seven keys that will increase my love of learning and help me raise great leaders. I will be posting some of my thoughts on this blog as I continue on this journey. 

Take a look at Tjed.org to get a closer look.