6 minute read
A Beautiful Mess
by Jessica Prukner
The new school year always brings challenges and opportunities to learn and grow together on the journey of homeschooling. This year, my three kids are all teenagers, and each subject is becoming increasingly more challenging for me to teach and for them to learn. Biology is no longer about cute creatures on the beach and swimming in the ocean but about the periodic table, how atoms work, and the different compounds that are formed from elements in covalent bonds. Some days my brain just starts spinning when my children ask me for help, and those same days, we become equally frustrated together on this homeschool path of learning. Even though these days are real and actually do happen, I have to remind myself that learning doesn’t have to be frustrating and complicated.
Recently, we started the day trying to figure out our new curriculum and find a groove that works for each of us. The first few weeks are always the trickiest in my experience because the systems have changed, and we are all trying to find what works best for each kid and their learning styles and capabilities. On this particular day, I looked over and saw some frustrated tears coming out of my now high schooler’s eyes. I calmly went over to him and asked what the issue was. He told me that this biology book was requiring that he write out all the terms, about 39 of them, as it was trying to create a lesson for him to learn them. This kid isn’t a fan of writing and also doesn’t do well writing lots of words in the little spaces he was given on this term table. I was able to help him find an alternative way to study—one that didn’t require him to do something that upset him and, therefore, didn’t really help him. We decided he could input the terms into an app he had used in the past that created flashcards and quizzes to help him learn. Immediately, the tears dried, and his stressed body became calm and more relaxed. He could do that; he actually liked doing that. The problem was solved, and a new path of learning was created. We adapted, overcame, and found a good solution to reach the desired result, which was learning biology terms.
A few minutes later, my daughter came over stressed out about the new book she was required to read for the new language program. Reading isn’t her favorite thing to do or necessarily her strong point in learning; she explained that it felt like she was just reading words and not comprehending the story because she didn’t enjoy it. She asked if she could google the audiobook and listen to the audio while she did some coloring in her new science journal. My initial reaction was that this wasn’t acceptable. Readers must read! But then I was suddenly reminded of something I discovered while helping my oldest daughter prepare her dual enrollment in two college courses this semester: there was an option to have everything read to her, both the required texts and the assignments, in the online app. The world has now adapted to all types of learning abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. I also thought about how often I “read” books on Audible or download and listen to different things while driving and walking. Our world now has options that are very easily accessible and common that allow us to learn without actually reading the text with our eyes all the time. Do we need to know how to read? Absolutely. And she does have required daily reading. But sometimes, in some situations, it is good to think outside the box and allow our kids to find solutions to help them learn in ways that they enjoy and will help them retain the information. I told my youngest daughter she could listen to the audiobook and color in her science book; since she has been doing this learning style, she is thriving in her question-answering and comprehension of the book, and both she and I are happy learning. Mission accomplished.
Whether starting a new school year, a new semester, or homeschooling for the first time, it is always great to remember that the journey doesn’t have to be a cookiecutter replica of public schools or even the same for all your kids if you have more than one learning from home. God made each of our kids with unique personalities, learning abilities, styles, passions, and desires. Allow yourself to see past what “should be” and the expectations of learning and know each child for who he or she is. The beauty of homeschooling is really in the daily opportunities to allow each child the space to discover who God created them to be. It’s such a joy to see how one is drawn to a certain topic and subject more passionately than another and allow him or her the freedom and encouragement to dive more deeply. It’s also our job as their parents to see where their strengths and weaknesses are in learning and help them find ways to adapt and improvise.
In the end, remember it’s not about getting test answers correct, getting good grades, or reiterating the information they just crammed for the sake of a quiz. The true purpose of education is to learn, absorb, and connect with the things they are learning. Thankfully, we have the gift of seeing that for our kids and making the necessary adjustments to personalize their learning experience. It’s a win for everyone!
Enjoy the journey, lower the stress, think outside the box, and allow your children to flourish on their homeschooling journey. Kids aren’t pegs that need to fit into certain learning holes. They are fearfully and wonderfully made people God uniquely created and designed great plans for. Let them explore that on a daily basis; don’t put limitations and boxes around them. Set them free to be exactly what God has created them to be; that is true learning and quality education!
OUR WORLD NOW HAS OPTIONS THAT ARE VERY EASILY ACCESSIBLE AND COMMON THAT ALLOW US TO LEARN WITHOUT ACTUALLY READING THE TEXT WITH OUR EYES ALL THE TIME.
