As a parent and teacher, I find discipline to be one of the most difficult things I have to do. It is not just that I have to be the "bad guy". I can (mostly) handle that without becoming emotional. For me, it is the struggle with a chronic pain condition.
My kids seem to zone right in on the fact that I am not up to the rigors of discipline when I am having a bad day. They become more difficult to find and lose their sense of hearing suddenly.
In order to cut down on this craziness, I have learned that it is necessary to show no signs of weakness. Those days when I am in pain and would rather not get out of bed are the days I must get up early. I need the extra time to prepare myself for the day. I pray a little extra, I stretch and walk to work the aches out, and I create a game plan while I drink that first cup of coffee. If I am up before the kids and wake them in a sickeningly chipper way, they think I am having a good day. Chalk one up to mom.
If I can keep the limp to a minimum and keep focused when I want to cry out in pain, we just might make it through the day with no one, including myself, being grounded!
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Monday, March 14, 2016
The Role of Music in Learning
One aspect of being a home schooling mom is that I am free to include aspects of teaching that don't always translate well in classrooms with a high student to teacher ratio. I am also free to include subjects that have been eliminated by many public schools as "non-essential".
One thing that makes our day go better is the use of music in our classroom. From playing classical music during handwriting warm-ups to playing instrumental music as background noise to help kids focus while I bounce between students helping them with work, music is a big part of our day. Music also helps with memorization and learning the mechanics of music helps young minds develop in important ways. We do "jingles" to remember rules in English, Phonetics, and Spelling. We make up songs to help us remember the order of historical facts. We sing prayers. We sing silly songs to give us a respite from intense mental work.
There is a music course as part of our curriculum, and my children sing and play musical instruments. They share their talents in a variety of ways outside of our home.
Even if you are not a musician yourself, you can incorporate music into your child's life in many ways. Look for learning song CDs and MP3s. There are a plethora of learning song videos on YouTube. These can be very beneficial for your young scholars. My kids love Schoolhouse Rock. Many of those are on YouTube for your viewing pleasure. Music just helps us connect to things in a different way than any other mode of learning.
I am not saying to substitute music for visual, aural, or hands-on learning. I am saying that children can get more out of these modes of learning when music is included. An important way we learn to read is by repetition. We do most of our reading by memorizing words, which we then easily recognize every time we see them. Allowing children to get some of that repetition by singing along to a catchy tune is fun for them.
Another wonderful benefit of including music in our days is movement. Children naturally want to dance along with a catchy riff. Let them stand as they listen and watch learning songs, and encourage them to dance along or make up motions for the song. Kids retain information better when they associate music and motion with it.( They are also getting exercise while they do this.) Have fun with your child. You never know, you may have a budding Mozart in your midst!
One thing that makes our day go better is the use of music in our classroom. From playing classical music during handwriting warm-ups to playing instrumental music as background noise to help kids focus while I bounce between students helping them with work, music is a big part of our day. Music also helps with memorization and learning the mechanics of music helps young minds develop in important ways. We do "jingles" to remember rules in English, Phonetics, and Spelling. We make up songs to help us remember the order of historical facts. We sing prayers. We sing silly songs to give us a respite from intense mental work.
There is a music course as part of our curriculum, and my children sing and play musical instruments. They share their talents in a variety of ways outside of our home.
Even if you are not a musician yourself, you can incorporate music into your child's life in many ways. Look for learning song CDs and MP3s. There are a plethora of learning song videos on YouTube. These can be very beneficial for your young scholars. My kids love Schoolhouse Rock. Many of those are on YouTube for your viewing pleasure. Music just helps us connect to things in a different way than any other mode of learning.
I am not saying to substitute music for visual, aural, or hands-on learning. I am saying that children can get more out of these modes of learning when music is included. An important way we learn to read is by repetition. We do most of our reading by memorizing words, which we then easily recognize every time we see them. Allowing children to get some of that repetition by singing along to a catchy tune is fun for them.
Another wonderful benefit of including music in our days is movement. Children naturally want to dance along with a catchy riff. Let them stand as they listen and watch learning songs, and encourage them to dance along or make up motions for the song. Kids retain information better when they associate music and motion with it.( They are also getting exercise while they do this.) Have fun with your child. You never know, you may have a budding Mozart in your midst!
Thursday, February 11, 2016
Lent for the Teaching Parent
Lent is probably my favorite season of the Church year. At this point my readers are saying ,"why? What's so great about fasting, penance, and almsgiving?"
My experiences during Lent have been so positive in recent years that I look forward to it every year. It was during Lent that I went to confession for the first time and was completely reconciled with Jesus and The Church. It had a profound impact on me. Every year during Lent, I make a special effort to increase my prayer time and read scriptures daily. I usually also read a spiritual book such as "Life of Christ" by Fulton Sheen, or "Imitation of Christ" by Thomas A Kempis, or "Story of a Soul" by St. Therese of Liseux. These things always cause me to look at my life critically and I grow spiritually during every Lenten cycle.
Another great benefit of Lent is that I have many great opportunities to share the faith with my children. We go to confession as a family more often. I share the stories of the saints, read scripture with them, and our family is more deliberate about family devotional time daily. I take every opportunity to teach my children how to be charitable within our family. We find ways to show Christ to those we encounter outside of our home, especially praying for those who are difficult.
As our family seeks out ways to share with others and to be good to each other, we all grow spiritually and it strengthens our bond with each other and with the Church.
I pray that even if Lent does not become your favorite part of the Church year, that it will become a time you truly love as you grow in virtue.
My experiences during Lent have been so positive in recent years that I look forward to it every year. It was during Lent that I went to confession for the first time and was completely reconciled with Jesus and The Church. It had a profound impact on me. Every year during Lent, I make a special effort to increase my prayer time and read scriptures daily. I usually also read a spiritual book such as "Life of Christ" by Fulton Sheen, or "Imitation of Christ" by Thomas A Kempis, or "Story of a Soul" by St. Therese of Liseux. These things always cause me to look at my life critically and I grow spiritually during every Lenten cycle.
Another great benefit of Lent is that I have many great opportunities to share the faith with my children. We go to confession as a family more often. I share the stories of the saints, read scripture with them, and our family is more deliberate about family devotional time daily. I take every opportunity to teach my children how to be charitable within our family. We find ways to show Christ to those we encounter outside of our home, especially praying for those who are difficult.
As our family seeks out ways to share with others and to be good to each other, we all grow spiritually and it strengthens our bond with each other and with the Church.
I pray that even if Lent does not become your favorite part of the Church year, that it will become a time you truly love as you grow in virtue.
Sunday, January 10, 2016
Parents as Primary Teachers
If you are a parent, then you are a teacher. Children learn most of the things that really stick with them from their parents. Some parents teach accidentally, others teach deliberately; most fall somewhere between the two. We always hope that the things our children learn from us are positive.
There is no more important realm in which we teach our children than in the area of their spiritual lives. The spiritual health and maturity of our children has far-reaching effects in their lives. Spiritual training gives them a moral basis upon which to make decisions. It gives them hope when things are difficult. It also helps them to remember that they are exactly who they were made to be in a world of people who are often confused about who they are. Religious teaching gives them a healthy outlook on life.
If you are a Catholic parent, you are your child's primary catechist. If you have been doing this accidentally, it may be time to consider being more deliberate about it. Children need you to deliberately speak to them about spiritual matters. It is especially important when they are preparing for Sacraments.
Do you have a lot to learn about the faith in order to do this effectively? Take heart! The Apostles were first Disciples (from the Latin "discipuli", meaning "students"). One of the things that encourages me is knowing that I am called to be a student of Christ every bit as much as I am called to teach. In fact, the best teachers always remain students.
To get started, make sure you have the basic tools available to you. A copy of the Bible and a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) should be your primary resources. These are available in digital form, but if you prefer paper order them or ask for a copy from your parish priest or religious education coordinator. Don't forget that the pastor and deacons of your parish are there to help you in your spiritual journey. Ask questions often. Solicit their assistance in approaching scripture and catechetical study.
It is always good to know what your child is learning about in catechism class. What things are being focused on during this year? You can then focus on the things you want to reinforce for your children. Our parish uses a curriculum that features take home pages for the parents. Going over these with your children will not go amiss.
The most important thing you can do, however, is to live your faith openly. Be faithful in your prayer life. Let your children see that you make it a priority. Pray with your children. Say grace at meals, start the day with a morning offering, send them to school with a simple blessing, pray with them before bed. Pepper your conversations with spiritual truth. Designate time for reading scripture or Bible stories. Pray the Rosary as a family on a regular basis. Go to confession as a family at least once a month. Embark upon a scripture study course or read a good spiritual book (the saints have provided us with a number of great ones). I personally highly recommend "Life of Christ" by Fulton Sheen. It is a great way to become a student of Christ.
You are your child's primary teacher whether you do so intentionally or accidentally. I hope that you are encouraged to be a more intentional teacher.
There is no more important realm in which we teach our children than in the area of their spiritual lives. The spiritual health and maturity of our children has far-reaching effects in their lives. Spiritual training gives them a moral basis upon which to make decisions. It gives them hope when things are difficult. It also helps them to remember that they are exactly who they were made to be in a world of people who are often confused about who they are. Religious teaching gives them a healthy outlook on life.
If you are a Catholic parent, you are your child's primary catechist. If you have been doing this accidentally, it may be time to consider being more deliberate about it. Children need you to deliberately speak to them about spiritual matters. It is especially important when they are preparing for Sacraments.
Do you have a lot to learn about the faith in order to do this effectively? Take heart! The Apostles were first Disciples (from the Latin "discipuli", meaning "students"). One of the things that encourages me is knowing that I am called to be a student of Christ every bit as much as I am called to teach. In fact, the best teachers always remain students.
To get started, make sure you have the basic tools available to you. A copy of the Bible and a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) should be your primary resources. These are available in digital form, but if you prefer paper order them or ask for a copy from your parish priest or religious education coordinator. Don't forget that the pastor and deacons of your parish are there to help you in your spiritual journey. Ask questions often. Solicit their assistance in approaching scripture and catechetical study.
It is always good to know what your child is learning about in catechism class. What things are being focused on during this year? You can then focus on the things you want to reinforce for your children. Our parish uses a curriculum that features take home pages for the parents. Going over these with your children will not go amiss.
The most important thing you can do, however, is to live your faith openly. Be faithful in your prayer life. Let your children see that you make it a priority. Pray with your children. Say grace at meals, start the day with a morning offering, send them to school with a simple blessing, pray with them before bed. Pepper your conversations with spiritual truth. Designate time for reading scripture or Bible stories. Pray the Rosary as a family on a regular basis. Go to confession as a family at least once a month. Embark upon a scripture study course or read a good spiritual book (the saints have provided us with a number of great ones). I personally highly recommend "Life of Christ" by Fulton Sheen. It is a great way to become a student of Christ.
You are your child's primary teacher whether you do so intentionally or accidentally. I hope that you are encouraged to be a more intentional teacher.
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