Author: Ann

Blessed to homeschool in rural east Texas. Two graduated, one to go!

First Lessons For Little Homeschoolers

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The important lessons that come before teaching our little ones to read and write.

Setting the Table

 Obedience & Responsibility

Obedience and responsibility are the very first lessons we should teach our children. Diligent, daily work as parents at teaching our young children to obey and become useful, reliable members of the family is essential. These character-building lessons are spiritually important, because they help our children also learn to obey God and take the responsibilities of the Christian life seriously. When the time comes for our children to begin their formal academic education, the transition will be smoother and we as parents will find our new roles as reading and math teachers to be more enjoyable.

Bible

Mother and Son Reading Bible Together

As Christian parents, the importance of Bible instruction in the home needs no explanation. What we fail to remember is that this is where we as parents can begin to develop and strengthen our skills as teachers. As we plan our worship and Bible study times for our families, we are working on our lesson planning skills. The time spent on preparing Bible crafts or learning finger plays does more than simply make Bible learning time more special for our children. These creative efforts for Bible study plant seeds for future inspiration – which leads to creative science or history lessons.

Nature Study

The idea of nature study is intimidating to some parents, but the opportunities it affords are priceless. Because we know thatfile000767038449 nature is God’s second book, we can think of nature study as a supplement to our Bible lessons. As we introduce our little ones to the wonders of the world around them, we are establishing a distinctly Christian worldview in their hearts and minds. In addition, we are gently awakening observation skills, and strengthening thinking and reasoning skills at the same time. We can develop these important learning skills in young ones who are not yet ready for formal academic study.

For further reading on the subject:  Child Guidance   and  Education

 

Great Resource – Wildflower Coloring Books

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Learning about wildflowers as part of your botany or nature study lessons?   These Celebrate Wildflowers coloring books from the US Forest Service are a great free  resource.  Most of the coloring pages also include information about the wildflower, so they would make a great notebook or lapbook illustrations.

 
Image source: US Forest Service

 

 

Motivation Monday

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“Whenever you take up the duty that lies nearest you, then God will bless you, and hear your prayers. There are too many doing outside missionary work, while their own households are left destitute of any such efforts,—going to ruin through neglect…. The first missionary work is to see that love, light, and joy come into the home circle.

Pink Gerbera Daisy

Let us not be looking for some great temperance or missionary work to do until we have first done the duties at home. Every morning we should think, What kind act can I do today? What tender word can I speak? Kind words at home are blessed sunshine. The husband needs them, the wife needs them, the children need them…. It ought to be the desire of every heart to make as much heaven below as possible.”

The Review and Herald, December 23, 1884.

Motivation Monday

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“No one can be truly good and great who has not learned to yield his will, first to his parents, and then to God, and to obey with alacrity. Those who learn to obey are the only ones who will be fitted to command.

Mother Walking with Child

By learning the lessons of obedience, children are not only honoring their parents and lightening their burdens, but they are pleasing One higher in authority. “Honour thy father and thy mother” is a positive command. Children who treat their parents with disrespect, and disregard their wishes, not only dishonor them, but break the law of God. The earlier the will is made to yield to the will of the parents, and the more complete the submission, the less difficult it will be to yield to the requirements of God. And none can hope for the love and blessing of God who do not learn obedience to His commandments, and stand up firmly against temptation.”

The Youth’s Instructor, September 24, 1884.

Creative Idea ~ Month-in-Review Scrapbook Page

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Source: the-lilypad.com

This is a creative & fun idea that can be easily adopted for  creating a homeschool journal/yearbook.   It’s also a great way to preserve the memories of  outdoor activities , field trips  or special projects.  Your older students could easily complete this ‘review assignment’ on their own.   Lots of fun possibilities with this idea!

Click the image or source link to go directly to the site that features a step-by-step photo tutorial.

Motivation Monday

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“Parents are entitled to a degree of love and respect which is due to no other person. God Himself, who has placed upon them a responsibility for the souls committed to their charge, has ordained that during the earlier years of life, parents shall stand in the place of God to their children. And he who rejects the rightful authority of his parents, is rejecting the authority of God.

Wooden_Heart

The fifth commandment requires the children not only to yield respect, submission, and obedience to their parents, but also to give them love and tenderness, to lighten their cares, to guard their reputation, and to succor and comfort them in old age.”

Patriarchs and Prophets, 308.

The Clock is Ticking

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Time is Running Out

Tick, Tick , Tick!   Those of us who have been watching the Homeschool Week of Prayer videos have been inspired and blessed.  We’d hate for you to miss out on the same blessing.  If you have been putting off watching the  videos, don’t delay!   The Homeschool Week of Prayer videos will only be online until Sunday night, March 10th.   Watch and get your personal blessing today.