5 Essential Parts of a Great Education PDF

# 5 Essential Parts of a Great Education ## Table of Contents - Introduction - Part 1: Read Aloud - Part 2: Unplug - Part 3: Get Outside - Part 4: Work Together - Part 5: Develop Math Skills - Conclusion ## Introduction: The Path of Successful Homeschooling For many people, homeschooling means re...

# 5 Essential Parts of a Great Education ## Table of Contents - Introduction - Part 1: Read Aloud - Part 2: Unplug - Part 3: Get Outside - Part 4: Work Together - Part 5: Develop Math Skills - Conclusion ## Introduction: The Path of Successful Homeschooling For many people, homeschooling means replicating the traditional school model, but the heart of homeschooling is creating a unique and engaging learning experience for each child. Homeschooling provides an opportunity to tailor education to the individual child like a custom-fitted suit, rather than a mass-produced method. This ebook focuses on five essential components to a great education. **Make It Your Own:** 1. What did you enjoy or not enjoy about your own educational experience? 2. How do you want to pass that along to your kids, or offer something different? ## Part 1: Read Aloud "Reading aloud is a kind of 'core' for the unity of the family." -Edith Schaeffer Reading aloud is essential for a successful homeschool education. It is the foundation of a child's love for learning. Jim Trelease said, "We've spent so much time teaching children how to read that we've forgotten to teach them to want to read." Reading aloud is a great way for children to discover the joy of reading. Reading aloud with your children from a young age creates a bond and develops a shared language. It fosters a sense of belonging within the family. Reading also becomes a habit and is something that you can enjoy doing together. There are three main ways to prioritize reading in your home: ### Read Great Books The best way to cultivate a love for reading is to read great books. Reading great books cultivates a refined palate and gives children the ability to discern a high-quality book. ### Make Time for Reading Homeschooling provides ample opportunities to read at length throughout the day. Reading is the primary way we learn but is also a time to connect with God and rest. With a few dedicated reading times each day, you'll be surprised at how much reading gets done. ### Build a Family Library Surrounding your children with books encourages them to succeed. Create a family library in addition to utilizing the public library. **Make It Your Own:** 1. Does your family read together? 2. How can you make space in your home and schedule reading aloud together? ## Part 2: Unplug Your Kids "That's right - a kid's brain on tech looks like a brain on drugs" -Nicholas Kardaras Unplugging your kids from technology is essential for their healthy development. Discernment in technology use can: - Preserve children's innocence - Cultivate godly character - Stimulate their intellect If you believe that children need to love reading in order to love learning, technology must be used responsibly. ### Tech as a tool, not a Toy Technology should be used as a tool for specific purposes. When children view technology as a toy, it can negatively impact their development. ### Determine Your Family's Values Technology's pervasiveness can dominate the home and become the center of your attention. As the parent, you are the protector and curator of your home environment. You can foster an enriching family life by: - Rearranging the living room - Removing TVs from bedrooms - Designating a charging station in the kitchen ### Redirect Your Child's Future Children who are not overexposed to technology are prepared for future success. They are better able to develop their own interests and talents. **Make It Your Own:** 1. Have you determined your family's values? 2. Is technology working in service to those values or against them? ## Part 3: Get Outside "In nature, a child finds freedom, fantasy, and privacy." -Richard Louv Nature heals the problems that screens exacerbate and provides a cure for learning differences, attention deficit, and behavioral and mental health challenges. Studies show that nature heals the body and mind. Richard Louv even coined the term "nature deficit disorder" due to the negative effects of a childhood spent indoors. Spending time outside is essential for a well-rounded education. Naturalists are often more successful as scientists. ### Keep Lessons Short Outdoors should be prioritized over indoor activities. ### Go on Adventures Take two nature walks a week, incorporating outdoor adventures into your homeschool routine. Homeschool communities can be fostered by joining a nature club or park meet-up. ### Make Your Yard a Fun Place to Be If your yard is not interesting, your kids will be less inclined to spend time there. Consider adding shade, interesting activities, and make your yard a place that the whole family enjoys. ### Hold the Space Younger children may need time to adjust to being outdoors. Your presence can be a great comfort to them. **Make It Your Own** 1. What hindrances do you face to spending more time outside? 2. How can you cultivate a habit of getting outside for several hours each day? ## Part 4: Work "If a child can walk, they can work." - Dr. Raymond Moore Historically, children participated in household work throughout their childhood. Recently, childhood has lost this important component of development. For young children, work and play are one and the same. As an example, a three-year-old enjoys vacuuming and a five-year-old would love to help cook dinner. When children are not involved in household work, they miss out on the opportunity to learn essential life skills. Work also strengthens a child's character by teaching the importance of diligence. **Make It Your Own:** 1. Do your kids help with household work? 2. In what ways could you invite your kids to work alongside you? ## Part 5: Develop Math Skills "We like what we're good at and good at what we like." - John Saxon A working knowledge of concrete math is a foundation for long-term success in math and is best fostered through providing children with opportunities to explore and understand. Sometimes math is approached with complicated concepts before children are developmentally ready, leading to negative associations with the subject. We can help children develop a positive understanding of mathematics by providing them with success experiences everyday, both in their curriculum and in their lives. Activities that help children understand math include: - baking - cooking - building These activities involve: - measuring - following certain processes - being cognizant of time - counting When children see the relevance of math in their daily life, they will become more engaged and successful. **Make It Your Own:** 1. Do your children have success experiences in math everyday? 2. How can you bring more enjoyment to math? ## Conclusion: The Pressure is Off! Homeschooling can be simplified by focusing on the fundamentals, such as: - reading together - unplugging from technology - spending time outside - working together - learning basic math The Homeschool Made Simple method focuses on: - following research - giving children the freedom to pursue their own interests - creating a love for reading You don't need to create elaborate lesson plans. You can customize your curriculum to fit your family's needs. Families who have successfully used this method have found that it results in happy children who excel academically and become positive members of society. **Make It Your Own:** 1. If you're thinking about homeschooling, does this method sound like a good fit for you? 2. If you're currently homeschooling, how can you tweak your approach to better fit your family? ## What Do I Do Now? This ebook is a taste of the Homeschool Made Simple method. When you delve into the framework, you will learn about: - child development - the vision for how homeschooling differs from traditional schooling - booklists that provide a comprehensive educational experience If you want to learn more, check out the Homeschool Made Simple website for information on the basic seminar, "A Literature-Based Approach to Education", and its corresponding book lists. ### Customize Our Approach Once you understand the framework, you will be able to create a customized curriculum that meets your family's needs. ### Enjoy Learning Together Once you've finalized your approach, you can truly enjoy homeschooling and learning together! ## Hello, We Are The Homeschool Made Simple Team. - Carole Joy Seid - J. J. Seid - Rachel Winchester Homeschool Made Simple began with Carole Joy Seid sharing books with families interested in homeschooling. Her mission was to spread the message of empowerment and hope that she inherited from Dr. Raymond and Dorothy Moore. Homeschooling doesn't have to be complicated to be successful. Over the years, Homeschool Made Simple expanded with the addition of J. J. Seid and Rachel Winchester. The Homeschool Made Simple team continues to provide valuable tools for homeschool families based on the same principles. The team encourages parents to embrace the words of Jesus found in Matthew 11:28, "Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for my yoke is gentle and my burden is light." The Homeschool Made Simple team wholeheartedly believes that the tools and resources provided will be valuable for your family.