If you've ever wished your child could be part of an organized athletic sport, but worry about the time and money you'd be spending, I hope that our story will show you that joining a team can be affordable and worth the time. Over the past ten years, my children have played soccer, baseball, volleyball, basketball, football, gymnastics and tennis. Our goals were to let them experience team play, to get out and get some exercise, and to help them see how skills can be learned and improved with steady practice.
Each started at about age 7 in our local Park and Rec soccer program. Eight weeks of practice (only one night a week) and eight games, and the season was over. Dad got involved in coaching with the second child and has continued since. At this level, no prior experience was necessary on his part, and when he coaches, he can set the practice times at times convenient to our family.
After a couple years of soccer, the children start basketball at our parish school. Requirements vary. Our children must be from a registered parish family and participate in religious ed classes. Our religious ed director lets us "homeschool" these classes. Here again, dad has helped coach some of the teams. The teams have generally been small, and the children get a lot of playing time. Our league encompasses a rural area, but even at that, we don't travel more than 30 minutes for a game. I often stay home with littler (and bigger!) children and let the athlete and dad go to the games. On days when we all go (and buy popcorn) it's a treat for the younger children.
The volleyball my girls have played has also been through our parish, while the Park and Rec offers football, tennis, etc. When an area gymnastics instructor opened a local gym, I called to see if she could provide classes for homeschooled children during the day. She was thrilled to be able to make some money during "downtime", AND offered us a greatly reduced tuition. Another bonus for us is that she herself teaches the classes. The children get top-notch instruction at a reduced rate!
As our family has grown, we've also placed siblings on teams together, even if the official guidelines would have separated them by age. For the past three years, my husband has coached a baseball team with two of his own children on it. Again, all we had to do was ask, and this was allowed. Our older children now assistant coach, and look forward to the day when they can get paid for refereeing.
If you are looking for an athletic opportunity for your child, make a few phone calls and see what's available in your area. Friends have found dance classes, golf lessons and more near their homes. Learning the basics of several sports has given our children a common area of interest, and a great outlet for their energy. They've made good friends, and we've met wonderful families. Sports equipment also makes for great gifts, and not a holiday goes by that they don't receive a new ball of some shape and size!
Finally, as a sort of addendum for those of you with little ones looking ahead, a quick story about our eldest daughter. At 7 on the soccer field, she was rather uncoordinated. At 8 and 9, she lacked stamina. By 11, she started growing taller. Today, at 14, she is 5' 10'' and on a volleyball team that received an invitation to a National level Junior Olympics tournament. We've never pushed her, and never spent a lot of money on sports, yet the steady progress she's made is something she's proud of. We already see the younger children following in her footsteps.
If you've been unsure as to how homeschoolers get involved in team sports, hopefully some of these ideas will help you!
contributed by Mary from Wisconsin
Monday, August 6, 2007
Staying Active as a Family
When our six children were younger we provided physical education for them by signing them up for organized gym classes for homeschoolers such as, the YMCA and our own support group's gym class with a wonderful gym teacher. They really enjoyed that up to a certain age.
Now, with the older ones grown and moved out, we presently have three active boys [10 yrs. old - 16] to keep busy. We provide physical education for them by getting them involved in our local soccer association, both outdoor and indoor, therefore, it is year round. In addition, we have joined a local health club so that the whole family can have a place to go for recreation. The boys have participated in programs at the health club such as a class on speed, agility and strength training. The lap pool is also a great way for them to stay in shape, and our ten year old enjoys doing it with Dad. Open basketball and a smaller gym for younger kids keeps them all active. Our own yard and local parks provide a great atmosphere for active boys also.
Being active as a family is very healthy physically of course, but also in growth and closeness as a family, not to mention it is simply fun!
contributed by Sheila from Wisconsin
Now, with the older ones grown and moved out, we presently have three active boys [10 yrs. old - 16] to keep busy. We provide physical education for them by getting them involved in our local soccer association, both outdoor and indoor, therefore, it is year round. In addition, we have joined a local health club so that the whole family can have a place to go for recreation. The boys have participated in programs at the health club such as a class on speed, agility and strength training. The lap pool is also a great way for them to stay in shape, and our ten year old enjoys doing it with Dad. Open basketball and a smaller gym for younger kids keeps them all active. Our own yard and local parks provide a great atmosphere for active boys also.
Being active as a family is very healthy physically of course, but also in growth and closeness as a family, not to mention it is simply fun!
contributed by Sheila from Wisconsin
Extracurriculars
Most of our outside activities begin as things we do or join as a family. five of the seven of us play violin, so we go to lessons as a family, and work on our school work when it is not our turn to be working with the teacher. Music (violin, piano, and now trumpet) is more like another school subject than an "outside activity", and I can't imagine my week without it. Gymnastics started in the same way -- the local gym offered classes in the afternoon for homeschoolers, and all of us went to the gym together. I'm not a gymnast, but I enjoyed the company of other kids, and the opportunity to work on my strength and balance. My younger sister is the only one who has continued these classes. She's less social than I am, and likes to see how far she can push herself in gymnastics. I like team sports better.
Our opportunities in sports have included soccer, baseball, basketball, volleyball, swimming and tennis. (We live near a small town with a big Park and Recreation Department!) Dad has coached most of us in soccer or baseball when we get to be around first grade, so, again, it's less of an "outside activity" as we go to practices and games with dad. Later we've played on our parish school teams, and most recently, I've joined a high school team run by a large homeschool group. Sports have become a very important part of my life over the years. I'm competitive and enjoy doing my best on the court. I also stay in shape and stay healthy, while I meet other kids my age. I've had great coaches and teachers, and my parents are glad that I have other adults who are good role models in my life.
In high school, adults have helped with my academic work as well. I am part of a Latin co-op and Latin Club that are moderated by other adults. The co-op is again something my whole family participates in, while the Club I attend once a month with friends.
My sister and I are also part of a Schoenstatt Girls Group and our parish Youth Group. These are both important places for me to share my faith with others and to grow in my own knowledge of the Church. I've planned and run a lot of activities in my church, including our first Youth Newsletter, and have counseled for a retreat for younger girls at our Schoenstatt Center. Each of these activities is important to me for different reasons, and they seem to be more a part of my life than something extra I do. I know I am blessed to have several very active homeschool groups in my area that make these opportunities available. Not all my siblings do nearly as many things as I do! I've just been able to find a class or group out there if I want to try something new. As long as I keep up with my schoolwork and my responsibilities at home, my parents are willing to investigate these other activities.
contributed by Lauren, age 15
Our opportunities in sports have included soccer, baseball, basketball, volleyball, swimming and tennis. (We live near a small town with a big Park and Recreation Department!) Dad has coached most of us in soccer or baseball when we get to be around first grade, so, again, it's less of an "outside activity" as we go to practices and games with dad. Later we've played on our parish school teams, and most recently, I've joined a high school team run by a large homeschool group. Sports have become a very important part of my life over the years. I'm competitive and enjoy doing my best on the court. I also stay in shape and stay healthy, while I meet other kids my age. I've had great coaches and teachers, and my parents are glad that I have other adults who are good role models in my life.
In high school, adults have helped with my academic work as well. I am part of a Latin co-op and Latin Club that are moderated by other adults. The co-op is again something my whole family participates in, while the Club I attend once a month with friends.
My sister and I are also part of a Schoenstatt Girls Group and our parish Youth Group. These are both important places for me to share my faith with others and to grow in my own knowledge of the Church. I've planned and run a lot of activities in my church, including our first Youth Newsletter, and have counseled for a retreat for younger girls at our Schoenstatt Center. Each of these activities is important to me for different reasons, and they seem to be more a part of my life than something extra I do. I know I am blessed to have several very active homeschool groups in my area that make these opportunities available. Not all my siblings do nearly as many things as I do! I've just been able to find a class or group out there if I want to try something new. As long as I keep up with my schoolwork and my responsibilities at home, my parents are willing to investigate these other activities.
contributed by Lauren, age 15
Fallen Nature vs. Let the Children Come to Me
I was thinking today about what we know to be concrete Church teaching about how to educate children. What I whittled it down to (in my head for the moment at least) is that:
Our final goal in education is the child's salvation
and
Children have free will and a fallen nature
and yet
Jesus said "Unless you become like little children, you shall not enter the kingdom of God."
The final goal is somewhat obvious, I think, but an important point to remember is that this goal should influence every aspect of their education in some way (directly or indirectly).
The thing that struck me today was the contrast between "Children have a fallen nature" and "Unless you become like little children, you shall not enter the kingdom of God." The contrast seems almost contradictory at first glance, and yet I think Jesus' statement about being like little children can help us to interpret and temper our understanding of fallen nature (and we as parents and teachers should be empathetic to some degree since we struggle with fallen nature ourselves!)
Consider this statement for a minute. Adults and children both have fallen natures, but there is something in children that adults should try to emulate. This seems to me a very significant statement regarding education and for me a reminder to be humble. I need to remember that Christ is present in my children. I should be open to learning from them and seeing the world and its beauty through their eyes.
I do think Maria Montessori was onto something in her ideas of respecting the child. To me this includes things like respecting the attention they pay to a particular task they are wrapped up in and not disrupting that task unnecessarily (this includes even a toddler who is trying something - poking a stick into a hole, or looking at a picture book, or whatever). These intellectual ideas help me to remember to be loving and affectionate to my little ones even when I'm cranky and would rather be doing something else.
The idea of fallen nature keeps some of this from getting too carried away. I try not to pick up my three year old when she whines. We don't give children anything they want or let them make every decision for themselves. I love Montessori's idea of freedom within limits. "If you talk to me nicely, I will try to help you." We set boundaries, goals, requirements, rules, but allow them the opportunity to make choices and take some responsibility where they are able. This might include letting a three year old pick her own clothes from the weather-appropriate choices you have left in her drawer. It could involve letting a child spend extra time in subject of special interest (while still covering the basic requirements set down ahead of time).
Here is one of my favorite Montessori quotes (favorite because it is both beautiful and challenging - and I need to be reminded of these things):
Our final goal in education is the child's salvation
and
Children have free will and a fallen nature
and yet
Jesus said "Unless you become like little children, you shall not enter the kingdom of God."
The final goal is somewhat obvious, I think, but an important point to remember is that this goal should influence every aspect of their education in some way (directly or indirectly).
The thing that struck me today was the contrast between "Children have a fallen nature" and "Unless you become like little children, you shall not enter the kingdom of God." The contrast seems almost contradictory at first glance, and yet I think Jesus' statement about being like little children can help us to interpret and temper our understanding of fallen nature (and we as parents and teachers should be empathetic to some degree since we struggle with fallen nature ourselves!)
Consider this statement for a minute. Adults and children both have fallen natures, but there is something in children that adults should try to emulate. This seems to me a very significant statement regarding education and for me a reminder to be humble. I need to remember that Christ is present in my children. I should be open to learning from them and seeing the world and its beauty through their eyes.
I do think Maria Montessori was onto something in her ideas of respecting the child. To me this includes things like respecting the attention they pay to a particular task they are wrapped up in and not disrupting that task unnecessarily (this includes even a toddler who is trying something - poking a stick into a hole, or looking at a picture book, or whatever). These intellectual ideas help me to remember to be loving and affectionate to my little ones even when I'm cranky and would rather be doing something else.
The idea of fallen nature keeps some of this from getting too carried away. I try not to pick up my three year old when she whines. We don't give children anything they want or let them make every decision for themselves. I love Montessori's idea of freedom within limits. "If you talk to me nicely, I will try to help you." We set boundaries, goals, requirements, rules, but allow them the opportunity to make choices and take some responsibility where they are able. This might include letting a three year old pick her own clothes from the weather-appropriate choices you have left in her drawer. It could involve letting a child spend extra time in subject of special interest (while still covering the basic requirements set down ahead of time).
Here is one of my favorite Montessori quotes (favorite because it is both beautiful and challenging - and I need to be reminded of these things):
"Who does not know that to teach a child to feed himself, to wash and dress himself, is a much more tedious and difficult work, calling for infinitely greater patience, than feeding, washing and dressing the child one's self? But the former is the work of an educator, the latter is the easy and inferior work of a servant. Not only is it easier for the mother, but it is very dangerous for the child, since it closes the way and puts obstacles in the path of the life which is developing." (Maria Montessori The Montessori Method)There is a great deal of truth in this quote and it applies well beyond self-care or the toddler years. A very great part of educating our children is, not just to force them to be good and to be a Catholic (although these may be required interim steps) but to help them want to be good (and develop habits, virtues and willpower to follow through on that desire). And so, this quote always brings me back to the following one by Fran Crotty in Implementation of Ignatian Education in the Home:
It should be the objective and is definitely the responsibility of every rational Catholic mother and father to see that the child is educated, so that he can be truly Catholic with the consent of all his faculties.
Homeschool Humor
We were driving home past unfamiliar places with another homeschooling friend, an 8 year old girl. We passed a huge place that burns coal and generates electricity, and creates a lot of white "smoke" in the air. My kids know it is a power plant, but this little girl didn't know what it was.
"That looks like a lava mountain," our friend said.
"You mean a volcano?" my daughter asked.
"Yes," our friend replied, "is that what it is called?"
"Well," my daughter said, " a volcano is called a volcano, not a lava mountain; but that over there is a power plant."
"Oh," our tongue-tied friend said, "it looks like it's about to corrupt."
(Nancy from IL)
_______________________
I overheard my 7 year old daughter talking to the neighbor girl. The neighbor girl was telling my daughter that she didn't have to go to school that day because of parent-teacher conferences. My daughter asked her what that meant and the neighbor girl explained it was when her Mom talked to her teacher. "Oh, we have that in home schooling too," replied my daughter. I was a bit puzzled until my daughter added, "My Mom talks to herself all the time." (Kelli from CA)
My oldest daughter is deaf in her left ear. Consequently, when things are too loud, she only needs to plug her right ear to block out the sound.
One day, I found my 2 year old standing in front of the stereo plugging just her right ear. (Her hearing was perfectly normal.)
"What are you doing?" I asked this little one.
"It's too yowd," the two year old responded.
"Well, honey, shouldn't you plug both ears then?" I asked.
"This is the way Sarah does it," she replied.
Which was true, as I well knew. Not knowing quite how to tell a two year old about ears that don't work, I let it go. The two year old continued to plug just one ear for several years afterward, proving to me just how strong an influence an older sibling can have! (Nancy from Illinois)
_______________________________
A little friend was talking to me about her family. She was recalling to me about the time when her brother was born, and she informed me that her daddy had cut all of their "extension" cords. (Nancy from Illinois)
______________________________
When I first started homeschooling, I read the books that said in effect 'your toddlers will learn amazing things right along with your older kids.' I thought it may be true for others, but how much can a little kid actually assimilate? One of the ideas I used in my homeschool is turning our kitchen table into a constant source of geography by putting a world map on the table and a clear piece of plastic for a tablecloth over it. Messy housekeeper that I am, I had a very hard time keeping this clean and we have since had the map decoupaged onto the table. I walked in to find my two year old sitting on top of our kitchen table. I walked up to him ready with my outstretched hand to swat his behind for being on the table (an infraction he'd been spanked for before). As I approached, ready to strike, he pointed and said in his baby voice, "Look, Mama, Staylia!" I hesitated for just a second when he said, "Cocodiles. Staylia." As I diverted my attention from his rear end to the map...low and behold...he was pointing to Australia. My ready swat became a "Goooooood Boy!! That is Australia. Crocodiles DO live in Australia." From that day on I was a believer. Even MY youngest children benefit from our homeschool. (Jenn from Indiana)
____________________________
I was at Walmart the other day with my two sons (8 years and 2 months) when I picked up the movie Yours, Mine and Ours on the bargain shelf. (For those who don't know, the movie is about a family with 18 children!). When I went through the check-out line, the cashier commented on how cute the baby was and how nice it was that he had a big brother. When we got to the movie, she said - "Oh, that's a great movie. But isn't that crazy? 18 kids!" I said, "Yeah, we only have six - he has four sisters!" Boy did her jaw drop! :) (Anonymous)
__________________________
We'd been homeschooling for about 5 years when our third child was just about to start kindergarten. By this point, I was beginning - yes, just beginning - to feel pretty comfortable about homeschooling, most days, and was looking forward to adding our little boy, and eventually, our baby girl, to the mix. We had gradually converted our dining room to a makeshift school room, which included two little old-fashioned desks for my older daughters, while I used the dining room table for my "teacher's desk".
One day, as we were chatting about school, my son said pensively, "I think I want to go to a different school when I'm big enough for school, Mama." My heart sank. "Really, Johnny??" I tried to sound neutral, but my overactive imagination was already brewing up possible reasons. He doesn't like homeschool? He feels the pull of peers already? Could this be a sign from the Holy Spirit that this child will need something different, and we'll have to investigate brick-and-mortar schools for him?
I tried to prepare myself for whatever reason he gave, and said, "OK, Johnny, why do you think that?"
"Well, Mama, I think in a bigger school they'd have more desks for the children, and then I could have my own desk."
A desk! Needless to say, within a very short time we'd made a trip to Office Max, purchased student desks for the older girls, rearranged the dining room, and put Johnny and his little sister front-and-center in their own little school desks. It's now two years later, and I haven't heard another word from Johnny about going anywhere else for school! (Mary-Eileen from Wisconsin)
_____________________
Recently, my five year old daughter was working on memorizing the ten commandments. She had memorized the first five (through "Thou shalt not kill.") perfectly. I had prepared myself to explain the sixth to her - "Thou shalt not commit adultery" by explaining that husbands and wives get married to each other and stay that way until they die - i.e. that they can't get married to someone else... So we started working on the 6th commandment. I read it to her and she recited it back. Then I asked her if she knew what it meant. To my surprise she answered "yes." She went on to explain, in a very serious voice, that "You're not supposed to yell at adults." (Alicia from WI)
_____________________
My 3 year old son thought that St. Michael, St. Raphael and St. Gabriel were the three HarkAngels as in Hark the Herald Angels Sing. (Alicia from WI)
_______________________
I was taking my son to his therapy session and it was raining and I didn't bring a book bag with me. I walked him in to his class, but on the way in I had my hands so full that I put the cell phone down my shirt and promptly forgot about it. Usually I'm all by myself, but there was a gentleman sitting across from me when the phone rang. I pulled it out and had to explain that "I had my hands full." (Therese from VA)
_______________________
My four year old daughter had been sitting in on our lessons and my seven year old was memorizing the Act of Contrition. Well, she memorized it too. One day she was at her uncle's house and she starts saying, "Uncle Chris, Uncle Chris, I can say 'Oh my God'." Her uncle told her that that wasn't a good thing to say. But she persisted and said "But my Mom said I can." Her dismayed uncle repeated "NO, that is not good." But again she said, I can say it. Listen, "Oh my God, I'm heartly sorry........." And Uncle Chris had a good laugh. (anonymous homeschooler)
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My three year old son recently asked for some lined paper without any lines on it. (anonymous homeschooler)
______________________
My friend's five year old daughter was learning to tell time in her Kindergarten workbook. The lesson was a fairly easy one where all the pictures showed clocks at the top of the hour. She was answering the problems aloud to her mother...ten o'clock, twelve o'clock...but when she got to three o'clock, she gave the answer as "Divine Mercy" time! (Jodi from VA)
______________________
My five year old daughter was talking to her daddy about ears (she had recently watched a PBS show about music). She eagerly explained that there are even bones in your ear, like the drumstick. (Alicia from WI)
______________________
My daughter had often heard stories about St. Lucy's Day, particularly from the "American Girl" stories about Kirsten. We talked about making St. Lucy's Day buns for several years before we finally got things together one year when Jacinta was six or seven. She was very excited about the big day and spent lots of time making a beautiful paper wreath with paper candles. We picked up some saffron at the grocery store and worked busily in the kitchen the night of December 12th. Since I had been a little disorganized about the timing, I had to stay up late finishing the baking but assured Jacinta that I would wake her up just before dawn so that she could bring Daddy the buns and some hot apple cider before he got up for work. We even "cheated" on the hot apple cider by picking up some powdered apple cider mix that dissolved into hot water. I finally went sleepily to bed at about midnight having filled a platter with charming pretzel shaped sweet breads with a nice glossy finish. Jacinta must have been pretty anxious about catching Daddy while he was still in bed, for we were gently awakened at about three in the morning by a nightgown clad little girl in a paper crown eagerly offering Daddy a St. Lucy's Day bun (with no plate) and a half cup of very lukewarm apple cider. =) (Alicia from WI)
_____________________
I don't know if it is habit or the fact that he doesn't hear the rest of us when he is praying along; but my son still recites the St. Michael prayer pronouncing that Satan and all the other evil spirits are "...crawling about the world..." seeking the ruin of souls. Make no mistake - crawling is quite a feat for a worm! (John from WI)
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When my children were young Abe Lincoln by Ingri and Edgar Parin D'Aulaire was one of their favorite books. My three year old daughter was making sand-castles in the back one day. While they looked like a collection of sand-hills to the untrained eye, she was kind enough to elaborate on their construction. "This sandcastle is like Abraham Lincoln's house," she explained, "because it has bear-skin rugs." (Alicia from WI)
________________________
When my second child was three, she started swim lessons. At the end of the lesson, the class always played "Ring Around the Rosie". My daughter insisted on singing at the top of her lungs for all to hear, "Ring around the Rosary..." (Christine from WA)
__________________________
When our third child was six, I sat down with him for some schoolwork. We went through math, Phonics, science, religion and a small amount of some other areas. He was very excited about joining in with the older two children.. I realized how excited he was when he was in the bath that night and announced, "You know, Mum, I feel nine." "Do you?" I replied, "How come?" "Because I can read and do maths so good that I don't feel six any more, I feel nine!" Lana (Australia)
"That looks like a lava mountain," our friend said.
"You mean a volcano?" my daughter asked.
"Yes," our friend replied, "is that what it is called?"
"Well," my daughter said, " a volcano is called a volcano, not a lava mountain; but that over there is a power plant."
"Oh," our tongue-tied friend said, "it looks like it's about to corrupt."
(Nancy from IL)
_______________________
I overheard my 7 year old daughter talking to the neighbor girl. The neighbor girl was telling my daughter that she didn't have to go to school that day because of parent-teacher conferences. My daughter asked her what that meant and the neighbor girl explained it was when her Mom talked to her teacher. "Oh, we have that in home schooling too," replied my daughter. I was a bit puzzled until my daughter added, "My Mom talks to herself all the time." (Kelli from CA)
My oldest daughter is deaf in her left ear. Consequently, when things are too loud, she only needs to plug her right ear to block out the sound.
One day, I found my 2 year old standing in front of the stereo plugging just her right ear. (Her hearing was perfectly normal.)
"What are you doing?" I asked this little one.
"It's too yowd," the two year old responded.
"Well, honey, shouldn't you plug both ears then?" I asked.
"This is the way Sarah does it," she replied.
Which was true, as I well knew. Not knowing quite how to tell a two year old about ears that don't work, I let it go. The two year old continued to plug just one ear for several years afterward, proving to me just how strong an influence an older sibling can have! (Nancy from Illinois)
_______________________________
A little friend was talking to me about her family. She was recalling to me about the time when her brother was born, and she informed me that her daddy had cut all of their "extension" cords. (Nancy from Illinois)
______________________________
When I first started homeschooling, I read the books that said in effect 'your toddlers will learn amazing things right along with your older kids.' I thought it may be true for others, but how much can a little kid actually assimilate? One of the ideas I used in my homeschool is turning our kitchen table into a constant source of geography by putting a world map on the table and a clear piece of plastic for a tablecloth over it. Messy housekeeper that I am, I had a very hard time keeping this clean and we have since had the map decoupaged onto the table. I walked in to find my two year old sitting on top of our kitchen table. I walked up to him ready with my outstretched hand to swat his behind for being on the table (an infraction he'd been spanked for before). As I approached, ready to strike, he pointed and said in his baby voice, "Look, Mama, Staylia!" I hesitated for just a second when he said, "Cocodiles. Staylia." As I diverted my attention from his rear end to the map...low and behold...he was pointing to Australia. My ready swat became a "Goooooood Boy!! That is Australia. Crocodiles DO live in Australia." From that day on I was a believer. Even MY youngest children benefit from our homeschool. (Jenn from Indiana)
____________________________
I was at Walmart the other day with my two sons (8 years and 2 months) when I picked up the movie Yours, Mine and Ours on the bargain shelf. (For those who don't know, the movie is about a family with 18 children!). When I went through the check-out line, the cashier commented on how cute the baby was and how nice it was that he had a big brother. When we got to the movie, she said - "Oh, that's a great movie. But isn't that crazy? 18 kids!" I said, "Yeah, we only have six - he has four sisters!" Boy did her jaw drop! :) (Anonymous)
__________________________
We'd been homeschooling for about 5 years when our third child was just about to start kindergarten. By this point, I was beginning - yes, just beginning - to feel pretty comfortable about homeschooling, most days, and was looking forward to adding our little boy, and eventually, our baby girl, to the mix. We had gradually converted our dining room to a makeshift school room, which included two little old-fashioned desks for my older daughters, while I used the dining room table for my "teacher's desk".
One day, as we were chatting about school, my son said pensively, "I think I want to go to a different school when I'm big enough for school, Mama." My heart sank. "Really, Johnny??" I tried to sound neutral, but my overactive imagination was already brewing up possible reasons. He doesn't like homeschool? He feels the pull of peers already? Could this be a sign from the Holy Spirit that this child will need something different, and we'll have to investigate brick-and-mortar schools for him?
I tried to prepare myself for whatever reason he gave, and said, "OK, Johnny, why do you think that?"
"Well, Mama, I think in a bigger school they'd have more desks for the children, and then I could have my own desk."
A desk! Needless to say, within a very short time we'd made a trip to Office Max, purchased student desks for the older girls, rearranged the dining room, and put Johnny and his little sister front-and-center in their own little school desks. It's now two years later, and I haven't heard another word from Johnny about going anywhere else for school! (Mary-Eileen from Wisconsin)
_____________________
Recently, my five year old daughter was working on memorizing the ten commandments. She had memorized the first five (through "Thou shalt not kill.") perfectly. I had prepared myself to explain the sixth to her - "Thou shalt not commit adultery" by explaining that husbands and wives get married to each other and stay that way until they die - i.e. that they can't get married to someone else... So we started working on the 6th commandment. I read it to her and she recited it back. Then I asked her if she knew what it meant. To my surprise she answered "yes." She went on to explain, in a very serious voice, that "You're not supposed to yell at adults." (Alicia from WI)
_____________________
My 3 year old son thought that St. Michael, St. Raphael and St. Gabriel were the three HarkAngels as in Hark the Herald Angels Sing. (Alicia from WI)
_______________________
I was taking my son to his therapy session and it was raining and I didn't bring a book bag with me. I walked him in to his class, but on the way in I had my hands so full that I put the cell phone down my shirt and promptly forgot about it. Usually I'm all by myself, but there was a gentleman sitting across from me when the phone rang. I pulled it out and had to explain that "I had my hands full." (Therese from VA)
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My four year old daughter had been sitting in on our lessons and my seven year old was memorizing the Act of Contrition. Well, she memorized it too. One day she was at her uncle's house and she starts saying, "Uncle Chris, Uncle Chris, I can say 'Oh my God'." Her uncle told her that that wasn't a good thing to say. But she persisted and said "But my Mom said I can." Her dismayed uncle repeated "NO, that is not good." But again she said, I can say it. Listen, "Oh my God, I'm heartly sorry........." And Uncle Chris had a good laugh. (anonymous homeschooler)
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My three year old son recently asked for some lined paper without any lines on it. (anonymous homeschooler)
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My friend's five year old daughter was learning to tell time in her Kindergarten workbook. The lesson was a fairly easy one where all the pictures showed clocks at the top of the hour. She was answering the problems aloud to her mother...ten o'clock, twelve o'clock...but when she got to three o'clock, she gave the answer as "Divine Mercy" time! (Jodi from VA)
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My five year old daughter was talking to her daddy about ears (she had recently watched a PBS show about music). She eagerly explained that there are even bones in your ear, like the drumstick. (Alicia from WI)
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My daughter had often heard stories about St. Lucy's Day, particularly from the "American Girl" stories about Kirsten. We talked about making St. Lucy's Day buns for several years before we finally got things together one year when Jacinta was six or seven. She was very excited about the big day and spent lots of time making a beautiful paper wreath with paper candles. We picked up some saffron at the grocery store and worked busily in the kitchen the night of December 12th. Since I had been a little disorganized about the timing, I had to stay up late finishing the baking but assured Jacinta that I would wake her up just before dawn so that she could bring Daddy the buns and some hot apple cider before he got up for work. We even "cheated" on the hot apple cider by picking up some powdered apple cider mix that dissolved into hot water. I finally went sleepily to bed at about midnight having filled a platter with charming pretzel shaped sweet breads with a nice glossy finish. Jacinta must have been pretty anxious about catching Daddy while he was still in bed, for we were gently awakened at about three in the morning by a nightgown clad little girl in a paper crown eagerly offering Daddy a St. Lucy's Day bun (with no plate) and a half cup of very lukewarm apple cider. =) (Alicia from WI)
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I don't know if it is habit or the fact that he doesn't hear the rest of us when he is praying along; but my son still recites the St. Michael prayer pronouncing that Satan and all the other evil spirits are "...crawling about the world..." seeking the ruin of souls. Make no mistake - crawling is quite a feat for a worm! (John from WI)
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When my children were young Abe Lincoln by Ingri and Edgar Parin D'Aulaire was one of their favorite books. My three year old daughter was making sand-castles in the back one day. While they looked like a collection of sand-hills to the untrained eye, she was kind enough to elaborate on their construction. "This sandcastle is like Abraham Lincoln's house," she explained, "because it has bear-skin rugs." (Alicia from WI)
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When my second child was three, she started swim lessons. At the end of the lesson, the class always played "Ring Around the Rosie". My daughter insisted on singing at the top of her lungs for all to hear, "Ring around the Rosary..." (Christine from WA)
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When our third child was six, I sat down with him for some schoolwork. We went through math, Phonics, science, religion and a small amount of some other areas. He was very excited about joining in with the older two children.. I realized how excited he was when he was in the bath that night and announced, "You know, Mum, I feel nine." "Do you?" I replied, "How come?" "Because I can read and do maths so good that I don't feel six any more, I feel nine!" Lana (Australia)
Education Permeated with the Faith...
I believe that the following passage from Pius XI's Encyclical On Christian Education is an essential text for home educators attempting to understand what Catholic education is ...
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Living the Virtues... One very basic way in which this principle can be applied is in reminding and encouraging our children to practice the virtues as they fulfill their duties as students and children of God. For example, even where Math doesn't directly teach them about their Faith, it can be an excellent opportunity to practice the virtues of patience, neatness, obedience, perseverance, etc. An excellent source of developing this idea is from the story of St. Therese of Lisieux, "the Little Flower." Her little way includes offering everything up to God - not just the things that are hard for us - but the things we enjoy as well.
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Applying the Faith to Everything... Another thing to consider is that our faith shouldn't be limited to a little "box" marked "Religion". Understanding Science, History, and Literature Studies (to name just a few) through the "lens" of Catholicism prevents Religion from being such an abstract concept and prepares children to apply principles of the Faith to their own lives - particularly when they leave home.
Within our school plans, some ways of keeping things in perspective include discussing literature in light of the Faith, studying Saint biographies as part of History, and learning to think of nature as the amazing design of God.
On a more practical level, parents need to be a positive example to their children in living God's laws even as it applies to mundane things like paying taxes, obeying traffic laws and loving our neighbors.
One example in literature that has always struck me was a sub-plot in Hilda Van Stockum's The Winged Watchman. Set in Holland during World War II, the story involves a family whose son has voluntarily joined up with the Nazis to spy on his own people.
'It is necessary not only that religious instruction be given to the young at certain fixed times, but also that every other subject taught, be permeated with Christian piety. If this is wanting, if this sacred atmosphere does not pervade and warm the hearts of masters and scholars alike, little good can be expected from any kind of learning, and considerable harm will often be the consequence.' On Christian Education #80 Pius XI)On this page I invite readers to share their ideas for applying these principles in their homes. There has been a great deal of discussion among Catholic homeschoolers about the need for Catholic texts and there are a number of companies working to fulfill this need. Nevertheless, I think it is important to also consider the less tangible ways in which we apply these principles in raising our children.
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Living the Virtues... One very basic way in which this principle can be applied is in reminding and encouraging our children to practice the virtues as they fulfill their duties as students and children of God. For example, even where Math doesn't directly teach them about their Faith, it can be an excellent opportunity to practice the virtues of patience, neatness, obedience, perseverance, etc. An excellent source of developing this idea is from the story of St. Therese of Lisieux, "the Little Flower." Her little way includes offering everything up to God - not just the things that are hard for us - but the things we enjoy as well.
____________________________________________________
Applying the Faith to Everything... Another thing to consider is that our faith shouldn't be limited to a little "box" marked "Religion". Understanding Science, History, and Literature Studies (to name just a few) through the "lens" of Catholicism prevents Religion from being such an abstract concept and prepares children to apply principles of the Faith to their own lives - particularly when they leave home.
Within our school plans, some ways of keeping things in perspective include discussing literature in light of the Faith, studying Saint biographies as part of History, and learning to think of nature as the amazing design of God.
On a more practical level, parents need to be a positive example to their children in living God's laws even as it applies to mundane things like paying taxes, obeying traffic laws and loving our neighbors.
One example in literature that has always struck me was a sub-plot in Hilda Van Stockum's The Winged Watchman. Set in Holland during World War II, the story involves a family whose son has voluntarily joined up with the Nazis to spy on his own people.
"Mother was shocked when Father told her that Leendert Schenderhans had become a landwatcher.To me, this passage is a chilling reminder of the power of example. I don't think it's even meant to imply that every fault and imperfection on the part of parents will lead to the total downfall of their children - after all, we're all imperfect. But it might have been different perhaps, if Mr. Schenderhans had sold something illegally because he was desperate to buy food for his own family. Instead, he is deliberately profiting from the high prices brought about by the evils of war and at the expense of his suffering countrymen.
'And the parents such good Catholics!' she cried.
'Hmph!' grunted Father. 'You women always judge people by what they do in church. I judge them by what they do outside. Farmer Schenderhans is getting rich in the black market.' (The Winged Watchman, Chapter 2)
Fostering Vocations in the Family
There are a number of experiences I had as a child that helped me appreciate the beauty of a religious vocation and begin to understand why (and how) people give their entire lives to the Church as a priest, nun or religious. I hope to give these sorts of experiences to my own children in order to help them accept a religious vocation if it is God's will.
First, I had a lot of interaction with priests and nuns as a child. (One very strong argument for the importance of the religious habit is the way it sets apart priests and nuns in the eyes of children as "special".) I was taught by nuns in Catholic grade school and my family was friends with a number of priests (we had them over to our house for dinner on occasion, etc.).
Second, the detachment from material goods that my parents lived in word and example made it easier to accept the idea that the meaning of life isn't about how much money you make.
Third, several particular incidents put me in awe of the beauty of a religious vocation. One in particular was an opportunity I had in college to sing with a small choir for the 50th Jubilee Mass of a cloistered Carmelite nun. Not only was the Mass beautiful, inspiring and grace-filled, but we were able to meet Sister Elizabeth of the Trinity and talk with her for a little while. I can't begin to express how beautiful, happy and kind she was and the strong impression that made upon me.
Finally, the lives of the Saints are a powerful way for children to grow up with the ideas that will allow them to say yes to God some day.
First, I had a lot of interaction with priests and nuns as a child. (One very strong argument for the importance of the religious habit is the way it sets apart priests and nuns in the eyes of children as "special".) I was taught by nuns in Catholic grade school and my family was friends with a number of priests (we had them over to our house for dinner on occasion, etc.).
Second, the detachment from material goods that my parents lived in word and example made it easier to accept the idea that the meaning of life isn't about how much money you make.
Third, several particular incidents put me in awe of the beauty of a religious vocation. One in particular was an opportunity I had in college to sing with a small choir for the 50th Jubilee Mass of a cloistered Carmelite nun. Not only was the Mass beautiful, inspiring and grace-filled, but we were able to meet Sister Elizabeth of the Trinity and talk with her for a little while. I can't begin to express how beautiful, happy and kind she was and the strong impression that made upon me.
Finally, the lives of the Saints are a powerful way for children to grow up with the ideas that will allow them to say yes to God some day.
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