So let's look back to our formula. We've talked about Exposure through Exploring, Experiencing and the Emotional connection, but now we look at what these yield, and the first thing I think of is Creativity. When you read great books together, the children's interests in the information to which they have been exposed can inspire their own projects and activities, rather than activities planned by the parent. A pre-planning activity that is instigated by the parent may not tie in to the children's interest, in which case the time and effort devoted by the parent is not as fruitful as letting the chldren drive the activities. When we studied Egypt our boys begged us to delay planting the garden so that they could set up a model archaeological dig - this was so much more effective than my spending an hour planning and prepping for an activity that the children would spend 5 minutes doing and not necessarily find enlightening. When you read a pioneer book, your child may want to churn butter; when you study pyramids, your child may want to find a few boxes of sugar cubes handy for building a model; when you study Samuel Morse, you may find your children working to set up a mini-telegraph in your home. The possibilities are endless, as is the fruit. This creativity results in greater Comprehension of the information that has been explored.
While reading great books together is a primary way to encourage children to love to learn, there is another key way that incites a love for learning and also encourages Creativity and Comprehension. That is to share something you love with your child and do it right along with them. If you have a skill or hobby, share it with your kids. This could include fishing, music, baking, car mechanics, or gardening. Your child will be unskilled and probably make more of a mess than you would, but because they want to be like you, this type of shared experience will make them not only want to learn more about the activity but also to know more about you. Beyond imitating mom or dad, your children may seek to imitate heroes they discover in their books. Ben Franklin, Helen Keller, Thomas Edison, William Wilberforce, Albert Einstein and so many more can inspire your children to dream big and aim high. When learning side-by-side, you will be encouraged to learn more, explore more options and feel excitement in finding out what happened. Your enthusiasm will inspire your children, and the more experiences they have, the closer they will come to the last part of our formula - Mastery. This occurs when information has been clearly fixed in a pattern with which new information can fire in the brain and turn on the lights.
Einstein's formula has been used to provide a familiar visual reminder for the key points presented for developing a love for learning:
Exposure in Exploration, Experience, Emotion, Excitement = Mastery, Creativity, Comprehension
When we incorporate exposure, exploration and experience that ties emotions into our learning, we immerse ourselves into what we are learning, experiencing it with multiple senses, as opposed to skimming the surface, and we find that mastery comes from the creativity and comprehension that this immersion fosters. Put these to work in your homeschool adventure and I am confident that you will find your children - and even yourself - developing a love for learning.
Kelly
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