Look For The Strengths

Aaaaah, the end of another day! Three kids are tucked in, and one is away with his dad working on our church building addition.....isn't that a great home school project?! I thought I'd take advantage of the peace and quiet to post a little bit about our homeschool, and what I've learned. I've always been an eclectic homeschooler, trying a little of this and a little of that, keeping what works and tucking away what doesn't...because who knows...it may work with the next one! But now that my four older kids have grown up, and I'm going through it all again, I'm a lot less concerned about how other families 'do school.'

Being the mother of seven children by birth and adoption, as well as having been foster mom to over two hundred other children, has taught me just how unique each child is, and how much of their personality is formed by genetics, and exists right from birth. What works with one child may not be quite as successful with another. Some children are naturally easy going and compliant, others are strong willed, and yes, stubborn! One may be shy, and uncomfortable in large groups, while another is outgoing, and loves to be in the spotlight. They even seem to be born with a predilection for particular interests and activities. One child loves to be outdoors, and participating in sports, the other is a book worm, preferring quieter, indoor activities.
None of these differences make one type of child superior to another. Each one is loved by God, and he has a special plan for their life and for their particular talents. But problems arise when we expect each child to fit into the same mold, or worse, fit our own particular preference. It’s so important to recognize each child’s strengths, and to focus on those, rather than trying to push the child into being what we think they should be or what we are comfortable with ourselves. If we provide some choices, and encourage the child’s interests, rather than demand that each child come out of their comfort zone, we can build on those strengths. Eventually that shy child will have the confidence to try something that puts them in the spotlight, or the child who thinks he’s only good at sports may find that he is talented in other areas too.

My youngest three boys are all different; with different personalities, learning styles, and interests. Two of Gus's interests are drawing and photography. To encourage him in these areas, we are always on the lookout for good art books and materials. He also loves 'I spy' type books, so we have combined this with his photography skills by having him create and photograph some scenes to be made into a book. Gus's weak area is math. Jerry is a visual and hands on learner. He can memorize anything that he sees on a television or computer screen, so we are trying to build up a well stocked library of educational dvd's and computer programs. Jerry is great at math, and also loves building things with lego and tinker toys, which we have in abundance! But at just a few months from his ninth birthday, he is still struggling to read. Then along came Danny....my boy who loves books!(a boy after my own heart!) Still in kindergarten, he has taught himself to read, with very little help from me. Give him a pencil and paper, and he will happily amuse himself making up words. They aren't spelled right, but I can usually decipher what he has written! However, he can be very stubborn, and downright mean at times!

My boys have taught me so much! When we just take the time to discover the interests of each child, and find out how they learn best, then build on those areas, learning becomes a whole lot more fun, and a lot less stressful for everyone!

1 Corinthians 7:7b But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another that.
Thanks for joining me! ~~~Deb