Wise Training
By Becky Wyand
About this time of year we start to panic at the work we have not finished. We do want to be academically accountable but we also want to be reminded that all of what we do is training for our children. That’s why we want to be alert as to how our children see us responding in different situations.
A “little bit” of lie told to a bill collector will come back to you many fold. Our children learn lying lessons easily and apply them freely.
So, at this time of year when you are lamenting unfinished pages I would check also for evidence in character.
Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God…” why don’t we practice some ‘still’ moments early in the morning or late at night. Be still for a while then talk to God. Be still again, talk to God again. It is refreshing and rewarding to feel God’s strong arms enfold you with his loving embrace.
Motivation is a topic on which I hear many questions. Remember the key to motivation is for teacher and student to seek the will of God and to joyfully obey that will with a submissive heart. Sometimes along the way to that ultimate goal we need “band-aids”.
One suggestion might be to encourage work energy by special diet. Begin replacing cookie snacks with fresh fruit that the child loves. Buy a juicer and make a juice of blended fruits and vegetables. This is a fun project and very healthy sipping.
Teach young children to resist impulse buying. At times a child will have his own money, go to a store, see something he likes, and buy it. Maybe it would be better to know what you want, go to a store, and buy it. If you are looking through toys at a store and a child sees something he wants, say “well, we’ll think about this until the next time we come.” Even if the child has his own money, is it best to pray and wait.
Spelling tip: Make a chart of word families. Cover one word, call it. Spell it. (word families are group words that end alike.) e.g.. ape, shape, grape, drape; hat, fat, mat, sat.
In teaching reading a fun thinking skill drill is: Have the child read the sentence, paragraph, page or story, depending on the child’s reading fluency. After reading it make up one to three questions and have the child answer the questions. He then can check his answers with the book and show you his word. Questions may be oral or written.
Is there a science lesson in the baking of bread? Research and report. Make some bread. Make orange marmalade to go with it. Can’t you see that school is really getting better!
God is not the author of confusion. Who is then? Discuss with your children and engage their help for your kitchen cabinets.
Have a wonderful school day!