“The work of the parent is solemn and sacred; but many do not realize this because their eyes are blinded by the enemy of all righteousness. Their children are allowed to grow up undisciplined, uncourteous, forward, self-confident, unthankful, and unholy, when a firm, decided, even course, in which justice and mercy are blended with patience and self-control, would produce wonderful results.”
Testimonies for the Church – vol. 5, 305
Source: brightideaspress.com via Daniele on Pinterest
Danielle at Domestic Serenity is a favorite blogger of mine. Today’s post that she shared at Bright Ideas Press is especially uplifting; How to End Your Homeschool Year. I invite you to click over and read her encouraging words.
“The Sabbath and the family were alike instituted in Eden, and in God’s purpose they are indissolubly linked together. On this day more than on any other, it is possible for us to live the life of Eden. It was God’s plan for the members of the family to be associated in work and study, in worship and recreation, the father as priest of his household, and both father and mother as teachers and companions of their children. But the results of sin, having changed the conditions of life, to a great degree prevent this association. Often the father hardly sees the faces of his children throughout the week. He is almost wholly deprived of opportunity for companionship or instruction. But God’s love has set a limit to the demands of toil. Over the Sabbath He places His merciful hand. In His own day He preserves for the family opportunity for communion with Him, with nature, and with one another.”
Sons and Daughters of God, 181
“Parents, teach your children that it is wrong to use God’s money in self-gratification…. Encourage them to save their pennies wherever possible, to be used in missionary work. They will gain rich experiences through the practice of self-denial, and such lessons will often keep them from acquiring habits of intemperance.”
The Youth’s Instructor November, 1904
Looking for ideas for activity bags/boxes for the toddler/preschool set? Here are a few ideas gleaned from Pinterest that I’m sure will inspire you to create hours of new learning experiences for your children. Follow the source links at the bottom of each picture to learn more about each idea.
Busy Board – hands-on fun while improving fine motor skills.
Shape Sorting – inexpensive stickers can provide hours of productive fun
Twenty-Five Activity Ideas – includes a printable master supply list
Source: passionatehomemaking.com
“Let every youth and every child be taught, not merely to solve imaginary problems, but to keep an accurate account of his own income and outgoes. Let him learn the right use of money by using it. Whether supplied by their parents or by their own earnings, let boys and girls learn to select and purchase their own clothing, their books, and other necessities; and by keeping an account of their expenses, they will learn, as they could learn in no other way, the value and the use of money.”
Counsels on Stewardship, 294.
During the first six or seven years of a child’s life, special attention should be given to its physical training, rather than the intellect. After this period, if the physical constitution is good, the education of both should receive attention. Infancy extends to the age of six or seven years. Up to this period, children should be left, like little lambs, to roam around the house and in the yards, skipping and jumping in the buoyancy of their spirits, free from care and trouble.
Parents, especially mothers, should be the only teachers of such infant minds. They should not educate from books. The children will generally be inquisitive to learn the things of nature. They will ask questions in regard to the things they see and hear, and parents should improve the opportunity to instruct, and patiently answer, these little inquirers. They can in this manner get the advantage of the enemy, and fortify the minds of their children, by sowing good seed in their hearts, leaving no room for the bad to take root. The mother’s loving instructions is what is needed by children of a tender age in the formation of character.
A Solemn Appeal, pg. 133
The Adventist Home Educator 