Homeschooling educates me too

I have always been one that loves to learn new things.  I don't always jump in feet first, but just about everything out there is fascinating enough for me to want to learn at least a little about it.  I like to learn the rules of the sports game I am watching.  I like to hear about the new cool features on cars and new kitchen gadgets.  I like to hear about new  discoveries in Egypt.  Every once in awhile, I even like to follow world politics, especially when a place keeps popping up in the news and I want to try and make sense of the craziness.

Because I see myself as a lifelong learner, I also realize the value in learning things just because.  It has helped in my homeschooling journey.  What is even greater, though, is what I learn through my kids' learning experiences.  Lately, we have had the video series "liberty Kids" in the van for the kids to watch when we go anywhere.  This is the second time they have watched in the last year. My son's favorite part is the theme song, which he hears about every 20 minutes...thank goodness I am ok with it too!  I know a lot of it does not stick, but my son knows who Benjamin Franklin was and says George Washington is his favorite president.  In fact, learning about George Washington and hearing a little bit about Abraham Lincoln in the Magic Tree House books has sparked an interest in our presidents.  He has also had a taste of what slavery was, and is starting to understand why we went to war.  Although he has not studied the Civil War, he likes learning about the Revolutionary War more.  It has also been a great spring board for discussions about so many things...like political parties and when the White House was built.  Not bad for a boy who would be going into third grade. 

My son's interests have refreshed my memory of what I learned in school.  I may even be learning more than the history books taught me.  The other night, there was a special on about Benjamin Franklin.  I probably would have never watched it had I not been listening to "Liberty Kids."  My initial desire was to see if it would be a good fit for my son to watch....because of Franklin's interest in the ladies, I think I will wait awhile before my 8 year old watches it.  It took my understanding of Benjamin Franklin to a whole new level.  It may even lead to me reading his biography, something I would have never chosen to do in high school.

There are so many topics my son has questions about that the internet has become my favorite tool.  Whether it be looking up how far it is from one state to another or information about the Egyptian pyramids, I am often exploring websites that might be of interest.  During that process, I learn all kinds of interesting facts that I am able to share with my son.  As a homeschooling mom, I see the value of me learning these types of things for my kids' sake.  It means I can share more information on a topic when they are exposed to it.  They may not always be interested in what I share with them, but they have a chance to expand their knowledge if they choose to.  And if they don't, that's okay too.  If I forced them to learn it, it probably wouldn't stick very long anyway.

Along with all the things I have learned because of my son, the area I have become most educated in is learning itself.  I have always believed in education, but teaching just never seemed to fit...mostly because I am not interested in classroom management but a love of learning and helping kids achieve their goals.  Through researching homeschooling and seeking support and ideas, I have completely changed my thoughts about how we should be doing things.  I am not a policy maker, but I do believe all we have to do is look at what kids do when no one is looking...when no one is measuring.  That is the natural guide to how kids learn best.  The more we incorporate that into the classroom the more we will see all kids shine.  The more we incorporate that into our homeschools, the more our children will excel...as long as you are willing to change your definition of what it means to excel in school.  And I don't mean lowering standards.

Excelling in school should be about becoming passionate about learning and trying new things.  Along with that, will come a desire to know the skills needed.  That will be the true measure of success in adulthood, whether it be in our jobs or personal lives.  A desire to  learn and try new things will be what helps us keep an open mind to the possibilities as adults.  And with that desire we will have already learned how to take on the challenge of learning new skills in order to do the thing we have our hearts set on.  We won't need someone telling us we need to learn a skill before we do something.  We will see it for ourselves.  It will mean something to learn the skill or knowledge.  We will not be fearful of failure because we were allowed to explore without measured expectations or grades.

So, what have you learned from your kids lately?