When my children don't know the meaning of a word I tell them to do what every adult does: Google it. (e.g. define _______).
We own multiple dictionaries but all they do is collect dust on the shelf. I've actually received criticism for not teaching my children to use a "real" (whatever that means) dictionary because, as the critics argue, "technology may not always be around, and then what will they do?"
Seriously?!
Well, first of all, if technology is no longer around then some major apocalyptic event has occurred, and second of all, if that's the case and for some odd reason my kids desperately need to know the definition of a word, I'm confident they can teach themselves how to use a dictionary in that moment.
(I am also not big on teaching spelling for this same reason. In this post alone, I had five words with the red squiggly lines underneath that are now corrected -- and in a matter of seconds! I <3 you, technology! )
Every human is born with innate curiosity. Imagine that curiosity as a flame inside us all that is lit by our Maker at our time of conception. As a mother and as their teacher, I want to give my childrens' inner flames as much oxygen to grow, to spread, and to run wild, as I possibly can. Only oxygen, only open spaces, only freedom can allow a flame to survive. I mustn't extinguish the flame by boxing it into a classroom, burying it under the sands of worksheets and rigid schedules, and most importantly, I must not try to tame it or standardize it -- for no two flames were ever meant to burn the same. We are all born with this fire of wonder, creativity, and curiosity; it's lit right into our DNA. The challenge is not how to get the flame, but rather, it's how to keep the world from burning it out.
Today, my pastor gave a perfect analogy for my education philosophy. He described how when you get a new tool or your child gets a new present, you don’t get out the instruction manual first, read it and then just leave the tool or toy in the box. No, you rip open the box, get out the toy or tool and you start trying to use it. Then, a few minutes into it you realize, “Oh, I may need to read some instructions on how to use this thing.” So, then you start reading the instructions; but now, unlike before, the instructions have meaning and real life application.
He was using this analogy in the context of faith. He was trying to say that faith and courage can’t be taught or grow stronger in a bible study or by listening to a sermon on Sunday morning, but rather only when you get out into the real world and you’re faced with moments that stretch you, do you start realizing your need for Biblical teaching and knowledge. No matter how true Biblical knowledge may be, it is worthless unless it is also interesting and applicable.
I view education this same way. Unless a child finds a particular set of information interesting and applicable, they will not listen, not care, and probably forget whatever you try to teach them – regardless of how factual or necessary you think it is. On the other hand, if you allow a child to become their own teacher, they will follow their own passions, and as they encounter experiences in life that they are unequipped for, they will then seek out the knowledge necessary to accomplish whatever goal they have set for themselves. Instead of simply being TAUGHT the information, they will truly LEARN it. There is a difference between being taught and learning. Even Albert Einstein said, “I never teach my pupils, I only provide the conditions in which they can learn.”
Just as becoming a courageous and faithful servant of the Lord can’t occur by means of merely acquiring more theological knowledge, becoming a truly intelligent, creative, and educated person can’t occur by merely filling the mind with more facts. When a skill is mastered in the context of interest and need in the real world, only then is it truly learned.
I heard a quote the other day that said, “Children are not our own art products to be turned out well, but their own life work in continual process.” ~ Jan Fortune Wood
It really got me thinking...Sometimes I do feel like we talk about our
children like art projects. Either our own little projects "turn out
well" or not -- and we take it so personally, as a reflection of
ourselves. But the truth is, we can only do so much as parents because in
reality, children are not our own little art projects that we can mold into
exactly what we want, but rather they are free individuals who are their own,
continual "work in progress."
I have been an "art project" parent for the past nine years and I'm so glad God is opening my eyes to that lie!
Speaking of art projects...
Today I learned that a little boy can be entertained for hours with nothing more than two paper clips, a couple wires, a magnet, and a 9-volt battery. :-)
“In the end, the secret to learning is so simple: forget about it. Think only about whatever you love. Follow it, do it, dream about it. One day, you will glance up at your collection of Japanese literature, or trip over the solar oven you built, and it will hit you: learning was there all the time, happening by itself.” ~ Grace Llewellyn
