Perhaps it's the Lord's sense of humor that after devoting twenty years of my life to climbing the ladder of success in "education", (i.e. primary, secondary, university and medical school education), that I would find myself trying to teach the alphabet and beginning reading. It's terrifying, it's humbling, but, well, ...
I'm starting to enjoy it.
Though homeschooling is something we've talked about for years, it's different when you actually decide to do it. We've admired many homeschooling families, like Jason's sister and her family, and had our children been born with the ability to read the sense of trepidation that I have been facing these past many months might never have happened. The mere mention of phonics would just about send shivers down my spine, and although I was certain that there were "methods" out there that ought not be used, I sure didn't know which one I should use... and which one would "work" for my kids.
Nathan is not one that easily accepts exceptions. "A" says a like cat... but it's hard to start reading when all you can use is short vowel sounds, and then it's really confusing to start learning all the other sounds "a" makes. He was totally not going for it. But in His kindness, the Lord also rescued me from my own despair - how am I ever going to be able to do this? despair.
Our dear neighbors down the street introduced me to phonogram cards. Learn all the sounds a letter makes, then learn certain letter combinations and their sounds... and quickly kids start reading. It's wonderful and what a joy it is to see the kids get excited to learn. So now we're inching our way towards a well-trained mind with our immediate focus on reading, writing and math.
Our days go something like this
7:15 breakfast
8:00 Bible and prayer time
9:00 School time
10:30 Snack
11:00 Finish school work (Nathan)
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Naps/ Quiet time
3:00 Reading
4:00 Free play
6:00 Dinner
7:30 Bedtime
It's not that cut and dry, but we've found a routine that balances our days. And we're embracing the holistic joys (and challenges) of living and learning together. We pray each day that God would enable us to grow in our knowledge of and love for Him.
