Day 1

As I sat today in the middle of all of our school books and listening to simple questions being fired from both sides of my head, something occurred to me. I have been wanting to move in the direction of raising my children to be independent learners and thinkers for some time but had always given them the answers to questions when I was asked during school time. I think sometimes it is easy to see them struggling and to step in to "help" them so we could all just move on but something was wrong with that picture in the light of what I really wanted for them.
In my epiphany, I began to realize that giving them the answers was not really helping them at all. It may have helped everyone in the short term but when I looked down the road at the long term picture of schooling and life, I was actually creating dependent thinkers who looked to others to be spoon-fed the answers that they needed instead of showing them how to find those answers that they are already capable of finding for themselves. Not only that but I was actually robbing them of the inner joy of finding that answer and being proud of what they accomplished on their own. So, in my moment of wisdom, I began to create a 6 step process for them to follow that would give them a structure to begin finding their own answers instead of always looking to mom.

The first thing they needed to do when they came across a problem they did not know how to do or read something they did not understand was to:
* Reread the question again or possibly the lesson again to gain better understanding of what was being asked or taught (sometimes we all half read things and then end up looking up at the end and saying "huh?")

*The next thing they were to do if still confused was to ask themselves "What resource can I use here to find the answer or to help me learn this better?"
(I have been there myself where I knew what I could look in to find more help or the answer and it was just plain easier to ask someone else)

*Third, I had them list 3 good resource choices they could use to find their information

*Next, they were to choose on of them and use it

*If they could not find the information they were looking for or the answer they needed they were to go on to the next resource and try again with that one

*If they needed to go onto their last listed resource and they still could not find the information, then they could come to myself or dad to ask for additional help.

As soon as I implemented this into our day, the storm began to swirl! Of course the kids did not like any part of having to go through this process, not when things had been so easy before! There was a lot of crying and procrastinating today but in the thick of all of this commotion, there was also an unbelievable excitement and joy that I had not seen in my children during school in a long time. Because of the struggle it took to find their answers, they got to experience the true joy when they finally found them. I got to experience that aha moment when they actually learned how to do it on their own and they were again proud of themselves! That is what gives me hope and the courage to move ahead with this 30 day challenge. I want to prepare my children for a lifetime of success on their own, knowing that they can find any answer, they can accomplish anything and that someone believes in their capability to do so! God gave them the power to learn, and I need to stop taking that away! Teach the kids to fish instead of just giving them a meal.

If you would like to follow this blog and or take the 30 day challenge with me to see what kind of powerful changes can be created, click on the follow icon in the upper right side of this blog page. I welcome others to share their ideas, experiences, stories or comments!! I hope to make this not just something you can read but something that is about you as well (interactive for all).