Nurturing Lifelong Learners

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I love to learn new things and that’s a good thing since the online world is always changing! As a homeschool mom I want my children to love learning, but for a few years I lost sight of how important that was and just focused on getting school done. Thankfully, God didn’t give up on nudging me and sending just the right person into my life to show me how to let go.

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All children love to learn, but often parents fail to see it. We’re too busy keeping up with the day’s to-do list, preparing meals, washing laundry, mowing the lawn, etc. We miss out on the moments when they’re learning without textbooks or homeschooling resources in front of them because they’re being good…and we shouldn’t bother them while they’re being quiet.

What if we were to take time to just watch, not interrupt or bother their “play” time, but just watch. Would we see the learning that is happening without us teaching?

When our daughter is playing the lake, would we see that she’s discovered the way that waves wash over glass and make it smooth? If our son is finally in the water checking out crawfish, would we recognize that he is growing and learning to get over his fear of water? Will we notice that our children are learning just by living?

We have the opportunity to teach our children to love learning so much that they will want to learn throughout their whole life. Whether or not we are successful with the opportunity we’re given, that is up to each of us.

So, how do we as homeschool parents ensure that we are nurturing lifelong learners?

  • We must let go of the picture we have for our children’s education.

Each of our children are their own person, God made them unique. When we try to fit them into the mold we have created in our mind, it just won’t work.

  • We have to be willing to allow our children to help lead their own education. 

In order to love learning, our children have to be given opportunities to follow the interests and gifts that God has given them. While you may still require that they use a specific curriculum for Math and English like I do, handing over the rest of their learning will allow them to spread their wings and fly!

  • We must show interest in what our children are learning.

Just handing over their education and saying, “Go, learn things.” won’t work. They need to know that we (their parents) are interested in what they’re doing, this will help build their confidence and encourage them to pursue learning even more!

  • We need to provide the resources that our children need for their homeschool. 

Sometimes our children will need specific resources to complete their studies. It is our responsibility to ensure that they have the tools that they need for all of their lessons and activities.

  • We must be in prayer for our children’s education. 

It is our responsibility to pray for our children throughout their lives and their education is no exception. We need to ask God to help them to be aware of His direction for their learning and throughout their lives.

Nurturing our children to be lifelong learners is an honor and a blessing. After all, each one of them is a gift from God. We need to ensure that we realize the beautiful blessing it is and what an awesome freedom we have to homeschool our children.

May each of us truly encourage our children to always want to know more and to be willing to go to great lengths to discover and learn! Learning is such a wonderful gift that we can help our children learn to pursue all the days of their lives!

How do you nurture your children to be lifelong learners?

Misty - Founder of Year Round Homeschooling

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