This is one of the most misunderstood of the keys. People often hear "not require" and think that means they can't require their kids to do math, or whatever. They then either take it as gospel and let their kids do what they feel like, or they decide that it sounds like unschooling and, therefore, TJEd is not for them.
Or, people think this means they need to be all-inspiring and get overwhelmed. Luckily for me, as the words "contagious in her enthusiasm" are generally not applied to me, we do not need to be an all-inspiring being. What we need to do is create an inspiring environment. Again, this is similar to what Maria Montessori said: that we should create a specially "prepared environment" that would draw the children to it. And how to do that? Set up a routine of studying and learning that works for your family. Keep inspiring books around the house, read some with your children, and let them see you reading some to yourself. Talk with them about what you are reading and share passages that you think might interest them. Have educational games they enjoy at hand. Get outdoors regularly and enjoy nature. Go to museums. Vary the daily schedule now and again. Most importantly, you need to be learning about something you are interested in yourself. Sure, study algebra if you want to, but learning to knit is great, too!
What this all comes down to is that no one can educate another person. In order for your children to get a great education, they need to be drawn to it. So I pay attention to what their interests are and I find resources to spark and sustain those interests. That's not to say that there have not been days, or weeks, or even months, when one of my daughters has seemed uninterested in just about everything I tried. But I kept trying. And I think we've turned a corner - she seems much more enthusiastic now than she did most of the winter.
No comments:
Post a Comment