Children act out what they read. When I was in elementary school, my friends and I played “Helen Keller.” Since I was littlest in my class I took her part, rambunctiously relishing the opportunity to unleash all self-restraint to mimic the wild and willful tantrums of young, untrained Helen. We had all read The Silent Storm by Marion Marsh… Read More The Silent Storm
From the comments I received on last week’s blog, I appear to have hit a nerve. This encourages me to add a few further remarks. My observation was that it is easier to form a habit of not reading than not eating, but that both are detrimental to our well-being, one to our physical health, the other to… Read More Our Daily Bread
Skipping meals is not my habit. I love to eat too much for that. Yet, there I was last Friday evening listening to my daughter’s piano professor’s performance of Bach’s Golberg variations, the audience rapt and silent, when my stomach noisily protested its neglected condition. Was it possible I had been so busy I’d forgotten to eat supper? It’s a… Read More Skipping Meals
Growing up in a family of girls, the ways of boys were always a bit of a mystery for me. Since raising three of my own, I understand them more, but this is also in part thanks to Ralph Moody. Otherwise known as “Little Britches,” Ralph enlightened me considerably about a boy’s thirst for danger, especially if it involves… Read More Not Just for Boys
It’s here, like it or not. Most people love the fall–the crisp and invigorating air, the splashes of color, the return from summer laze to busy days. The best part of autumn for me is that I gave birth to three of my children during that season. Growing up in northern Michigan, I have an aversion to winter and… Read More Autumn
From the first day we seriously considered opening a library, we have been aware that we were insufficient for such an undertaking. We were right, for it has only been the generosity and kindness of others that has made the opening and operation of the library possible. As we carry on in its tenth year, we can clearly see… Read More In Gratitude
Emily and I love talking about great ideas, and inevitably, those ideas become new adventures. Saying that one thing leads to another is a huge understatement, but here we go again with the next one. When we opened the library, we desired to share great books with other homeschoolers and doing that led to realizing that we needed… Read More An Invitation to Join the Conversation
Children ask questions constantly. What’s that machine doing, Mommy? Where are we going, Daddy? Why this? Why that? Why? Why? Why? Asking questions for children is as normal as breathing. The reason is simple: they want to know. Knowing is a child’s main focus in life. Charlotte Mason says the mind only seeks to answer the questions it asks… Read More Mysteries
I recently found my eleven year old son on his bed after his exhausting day of painting and yard work. “What are you up to?” I asked. “Reading.” Surprised, because reading is not usually his choice for relaxing, I curiously asked, “What book?” “The Kid Who Only Hit Homers.” Just in time I restrained myself from commenting.… Read More On the Rereading of Books
(The closing remarks from the CMI International Conference, June 20, 2015) Is this her reason for warning us against getting between the child and the book? We can hinder. Our task is to sow and to keep weeds from preventing growth, removing rocks and roots to give implanted ideas a fighting chance. Here is our God-given duty. Moral… Read More Vision for Children, Final Installment