Aameen 🤲. Thank you so much for reading, your thoughts are always very insightful and thorough when it comes to homeschooling. I remember our chat from months ago. I agree with the latent learning, much of it isn't evident but does show up in our overall development over the years.
I might have to do a post ft. "Dad" where he can share his side of the story Inshallah!
And you are bang on about the building habits part, because that's something we're really focusing on. To be able to keep their curiosity and love for learning alive is key for them to become life long learners Inshallah.
I concede with the core math being teachable within the span of a couple years alone. Once they develop good number sense you just upgrade more quickly.
It's nice to see how the homeschooling year has gone for you and your kids. I remember chatting about it many months ago in one of your posts.
One thing I know is that learning isn't all apparent. Much of learning can be latent and only becomes obvious much later. Your boys have an amazing mum (and dad; I need to hear his side of this post/journey being a guy myself and hopefully father some day)!
Considering the grace we give ourselves as adults for missed days of goals and routines, it makes perfect sense to offer flexibility and grace to little ones. While structure and supervision and enforced discipline matter, the deeper goal is to nurture their own intrinsic desire to learn and do projects and all that. otherwise, the moment you start sliding out of the picture because now they're older or you're busier or they go to public school or whatever, their performance/habits will immediately nosedive. I know this from experience as the homeschooled kid.
I couldn't have achieved what I have without my parents' constant presence and 1-on-1 focus, but it also had negative consequences where my learning was wholly dependent on them being there to teach me. My parents got me an iPad Mini when I was 10. The very moment I could sneak play, I would. I watched an ungodly amount of anime and played endless hours of Clash of Clans. The fault wasn't mine nor theirs. They were doing more than most would or could. I just needed a slightly different environment for more optimal learning and development of self-efficacy and that intrinsic desire to learn.
The move you pulled in that visit to India was boss level. Very well done. Allahumma baarik. The learning they got from just being present and immersed in the experience is untold folds more important than whatever expected maths and whatnot they should have been learning.
I could be wrong, but I feel like all of the core of grade 1-12 math for example can be taught in a span of a couple years with a well-designed curriculum, if the child is old enough and well-developed enough in general from just living a more hands-on life. The best lessons are the ones you use (imagine learning fractions from actually baking cookies and pies).
Or maybe not. It's just a hypothesis based on my experiences. Anyways. I've rambled. This was all to say that you're doing great! And your kids are growing up to be some of the brightest (nerdiest, long live the nerds) and healthiest (maybe you can start foraging on your hikes) and compassionate souls insha Allah. Give them and yourself time.
May you and your family be under God's caring gaze.
Aameen 🤲. Thank you so much for reading, your thoughts are always very insightful and thorough when it comes to homeschooling. I remember our chat from months ago. I agree with the latent learning, much of it isn't evident but does show up in our overall development over the years.
I might have to do a post ft. "Dad" where he can share his side of the story Inshallah!
And you are bang on about the building habits part, because that's something we're really focusing on. To be able to keep their curiosity and love for learning alive is key for them to become life long learners Inshallah.
I concede with the core math being teachable within the span of a couple years alone. Once they develop good number sense you just upgrade more quickly.
Well done Aunty Z!
It's nice to see how the homeschooling year has gone for you and your kids. I remember chatting about it many months ago in one of your posts.
One thing I know is that learning isn't all apparent. Much of learning can be latent and only becomes obvious much later. Your boys have an amazing mum (and dad; I need to hear his side of this post/journey being a guy myself and hopefully father some day)!
Considering the grace we give ourselves as adults for missed days of goals and routines, it makes perfect sense to offer flexibility and grace to little ones. While structure and supervision and enforced discipline matter, the deeper goal is to nurture their own intrinsic desire to learn and do projects and all that. otherwise, the moment you start sliding out of the picture because now they're older or you're busier or they go to public school or whatever, their performance/habits will immediately nosedive. I know this from experience as the homeschooled kid.
I couldn't have achieved what I have without my parents' constant presence and 1-on-1 focus, but it also had negative consequences where my learning was wholly dependent on them being there to teach me. My parents got me an iPad Mini when I was 10. The very moment I could sneak play, I would. I watched an ungodly amount of anime and played endless hours of Clash of Clans. The fault wasn't mine nor theirs. They were doing more than most would or could. I just needed a slightly different environment for more optimal learning and development of self-efficacy and that intrinsic desire to learn.
The move you pulled in that visit to India was boss level. Very well done. Allahumma baarik. The learning they got from just being present and immersed in the experience is untold folds more important than whatever expected maths and whatnot they should have been learning.
I could be wrong, but I feel like all of the core of grade 1-12 math for example can be taught in a span of a couple years with a well-designed curriculum, if the child is old enough and well-developed enough in general from just living a more hands-on life. The best lessons are the ones you use (imagine learning fractions from actually baking cookies and pies).
Or maybe not. It's just a hypothesis based on my experiences. Anyways. I've rambled. This was all to say that you're doing great! And your kids are growing up to be some of the brightest (nerdiest, long live the nerds) and healthiest (maybe you can start foraging on your hikes) and compassionate souls insha Allah. Give them and yourself time.
May you and your family be under God's caring gaze.