Parenting Pearls

Parenting Pearls Beyond the Classroom This Summer

By Sara Rayvych, MSEd

All you have to do is look at the community pages of TJH to see how much the schools pack into your child’s day. I received a wonderful yeshiva education years ago, and things have only gotten better since then. STEM is included routinely, while robotics and advanced art classes are no longer uncommon. Limudei kodesh, too, is taught with creativity and excitement. It’s a credit to the administration and staff that with all the necessary requirements they still make time to include what were once unexpected extras.

This article is in no way meant to take away from all that the schools are offering. I can’t even imagine the challenges schools face trying to fit all the basic educational and government requirements into the day and to then include computer coding or Nach bekiyus on top of it.

There is so much out there to learn that even if your child stayed in school from morning till night, they still couldn’t cover every topic. I mention this because often children will have an interest or educational passion that will never be covered in the regular framework. This isn’t a criticism; it’s just an honest observation. Each child is unique, and what appeals to one will bore the next. Schools can’t cover everything, and they shouldn’t be forced to. While for ease of writing I may mostly focus on secular topics such as science, everything I write applies equally to limudei kodesh topics, as well.

We shouldn’t forget that learning Torah and our mesorah need not be something forced. Torah can, and should be, incredibly fascinating – particularly when it’s presented properly. I remember being taught Megillas Esther from the perspective of psychology and the motivations of the people in the story. I’ve never viewed the megillah the same since then.

As the summer approaches, we have the opportunity to allow our children to explore topics and hobbies they wouldn’t have time for during an already busy school year. As this school year comes to a close and another exciting summer is about to begin, this is the perfect time to see if there is anything different our children could benefit from or enjoy.

Appreciate their Interests

In school, children get exposed to a variety of topics and cover many of the basics. This exposure is wonderful, because it gives children a chance to have many of their bases covered and a chance to experience what interests them. In high school, I discovered I enjoyed both biology and Pirkei Avos. Ironically, my kids have for the most part found basic biology boring while zoology has interested them. It was a bit unexpected when we discovered that two of our kids took a big interest in forensics. Another one of my kids is a big engineering fan. My husband recently discovered a major interest in ancient Jewish history. I’m not a geography fan, but some of my kids enjoy maps. A friend enjoys languages and has become quite proficient in Japanese.

When you discover your child has a unique interest, it’s worth letting them pursue it. In fact, it may be worthwhile to encourage their passions. I’m not suggesting to let them drop the basics but the more advanced topics can often fuel the basics. The child that hates biology will study it when he realizes he needs it for forensics. The child that avoids math will take a greater interest once he realizes how much engineers depend on it. The child that didn’t pay attention during Chumash may take a new look at those pesukim once he can track them on his map.

You never know what your child will end up studying or choosing as their long-term interests. Encouraging their educational hobby now could be setting them onto an enjoyable career path later. There are many people who studied what interested them, even when others scoffed, and turned that into a successful career.

Additionally, allowing your child to learn what interests them is just a wonderful hobby. If your child wants to study Megillas Esther in depth rather than watch television, then you’re rather fortunate. Kids can learn so much when they research what interests them. As narrow as you might think their topic is, you might be pleasantly surprised how far they extend themselves. It’s a well-known but underappreciated reality that people study what interests them.

Appreciate what interests your children. It’s another way of showing you appreciate and value them. Take an interest in their interest and be willing to help them bring it one step further. As much as you might find their topic boring and intolerable, you love your child and this is another way of showing that love. You may even find you can enjoy their passion when you see it through their eyes (no promises, though!).

Bring Them to the Next Step

As mentioned above, schools couldn’t possibly cover everything. Even though Pirkei Avos is rather mainstream, there still wouldn’t have been time in my school day for a separate class. Certainly, the schools can’t cover the in-depth halachos of the Parah Adumah as a full-time class. As their parent, you can help them find the resources to learn more about their unique educational pursuits.

I will preface this by saying that your budget should not be broken to help them fuel their hobby. There are options for every price range, and children can be taught that there aren’t unlimited funds towards a hobby. One of my children came over very excitedly to show me a four-week class in engineering that he saw. Even as he asked, he knew that the price tag was too high and he understood when he couldn’t do it.

While I am including possible resources to help fuel your child’s passions, this article won’t cover all your options and their interest will help determine which resources will best suit their needs. Whenever a resource is suggested, you should always check it first to ensure it’s appropriate for your child and meets your standards.

Books

You knew this was coming because how could we have an educational article without books?! Books can be purchased, rented, or borrowed from the library. You can often find them digitally. Books are an easy yet efficient way for a child to study their interests further. Our son found many digital books at the library on forensics. He was able to access them all from the comfort of our home, and it cost me nothing.

Some topics will be better suited to casual paperbacks, while others will require textbooks. I have purchased interesting textbooks for kids to enjoy as routine reading – you’d be surprised that some textbooks can be interesting to some readers. Look around and see what options there are, and you may be pleasantly surprised. Whatever interests your child, probably interests enough people to write books about it. I’ve seen articles and books on the most bizarre topics but clearly, they interest somebody! Classes and Lectures

While my son’s engineering class was too much money for us, there are many classes that may be within your price range or given free of charge. De-

pending on the topic, you might find educational institutions, libraries, or individuals that are giving classes. Some classes may be live, while others may be recorded. There are many online classes given as a series of recorded videos that might be appropriate. As an example, I receive the Yeshiva University emails. They have many shiurim available on a wide range of topics. Other institutions offer similar lectures, and after some searching you may find more than your child has time for.

There is so much quality content that whether your child is interested

Take an interest in their interest and be willing to help them bring it one step further.

in secular or Judaic studies you’re sure to find what you’re looking for.

Fellow Hobbyists

As vague as their topic might seem to you, there are most likely many others that are avid enthusiasts, eager to share their knowledge. There are many groups that are available for various topics. Again, make sure it’s appropriate, but when used correctly, it can be a fabulous resource. Years ago, I managed to find groups that shared patterns and tips on knitting woolen soakers. For those of you that are unaware – which is the majority of you – woolen soakers are a knitted or crocheted woolen cover worn over a cloth diaper. If that’s not a niche topic, then I don’t know what is. I think the group had over a thousand members frequently posting.

Your child’s interest will lead you to which type of resource is best; I simply named a few of the more common ones above. Your child is a unique and creative person with their own talents and interests. You can help them expand the gifts Hashem has given them and get nachas from what they create.

Sara Rayvych, MSEd, has her master’s in general and special education. She has been homeschooling for over 10 years in Far Rockaway. She can be contacted at RayvychHomeschool@gmail.com.