Children and Bible Memorising

Hey Parents!

Every evening, in Family Worship time, in our home, I have scheduled for my daughter, Rachel, to recite a Bible verse(s) that she has memorised quite a while back. This way, it keeps the Scripture fresh in her mind, and as we discuss it's meaning, it becomes more real and relevant to her.

Memorising the Bible can be fun for our young people in various ways. However, one method that I have found to work wonders with Rachel, is giving her incentives, rewards for being able to recite the passages fluently each evening. As I began brainstorming aloud on what to do with her, Rachel added to my idea. We decided for this week, that if Rachel got the Scriptures right, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in worship, then for each day she will earn ten minutes extra to add onto Family Time on Thursday. I know that Family Time, is Rachel's favourite part of the day, so if she could get an extra forty minutes with mother, just playing around, or whatever she wants to do with me, then she would anticipate it. I then added that if she could correctly recite the verses also on Thursday, Friday and Sabbath night, then on Monday, next week, we can knock out all the schoolwork in the morning, and have the afternoon to ourselves to do something special!

This way, Rachel will make sure that the Scripture she picks for worship, she will go through it in the course of the day. Thus Rachel's mind will become disciplined through habit to think on God's Word often throughout the day, because she has that extra incentive that she is going to earn minutes with mother if she gets it right in worship. Not only that, but it builds up good memories in the child's mind, in regards to the Word of God; that it is a good thing, and you will be happy when God's Word is hidden in your heart, and you meditate on it day and night.

We want our children's hearts, don't we? Well, let's begin by taking the time to create ways to cultivating the garden of their hearts.

God Bless you, and I hope this has given you something to work with.

The Ten 'Do's and Don'ts' of Homeschool

Happy Mid-week Homeschoolers!

In the past ten plus years of home schooling my daughter, I have had many parents approach me with various questions of how to start and maintain a successful home schooling program. The idea of educating our young people in the home environment, so as to build Godly intellect and character, is very appealing, but the planning of such a work, can be quite overwhelming and daunting, I am sure. So in this blog, I have decided to make your lives a little easier by summarising the counsel I have been sharing over the years, in just ten points, to give you a jump start. I have called it, The Ten Do's and Donts of Homeschool.

1. Do not think that home education is about using the same curriculum that are being used in the schools out there. Remember, 'the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom'. That is to be the foundation of any curriculum that we decide to use.

2. Do not think that in order to have a successful home school setting, that your room needs to be jam packed with all the school books, atlases, models, educational toys that you can get your hands on. Your room does not have to look like a regular classroom in order for your child to learn well. In fact, the more simpler the school environment, the less stimulated your child will be, thus the easier it will be for them to be attentive in class. By all means make use of what is out there that will aid you in your child's education, and if you have the finance to make a collection, then go ahead, but don't feel bogged down and pressured if all you can afford are the basic necessities for home school.

3. Do not compare another parent's teaching method with your own. It is good to examine prayerfully the advice and examples set by other homeschoolers, but remember, each child is unique as their personalities, so what will work for the Jones' family, may not necessarily work for the Johnson's children. At the end of the day, let God have the final word as to how we go about educating out young people.

4. Do not feel that because you are not a professional teacher, then that disqualifies you from being a teacher of your child. Every mother, by virtue of design, is qualified to educate their children. Now, circumstances may demand a plan b, but qualification for this work comes by Divine calling and not degree assigning.

5. Do not deprive your children of social interaction, when guarding their associations. Giving of yourselves in play and just quality family time, will give them a sense of assurance and contentment that they do not need the unhealthful companions to satisfy their need for fun and interaction.

6. Do submit your desire for homeschooling, to God. Seek His answers for what curriculum to use; what associations to expose your child to; what spiritual teaching He would have you to bring out of the lessons; how to support yourselves financially from home....

7. Do make it a rule to daily read one of the Spirit of Prophecy books on education. I began with Child Guidance and Adventist Home. These have become my daily manual (even though I haven't read it for some time now, but I am returning. I just can't do without it!).

8. Do provide opportunities for you and your child to do regular witnessing of some sort. Show them that education is not education if it is not imparted to the benefit of others.

9. Do pray with them often, especially when they are struggling in a class, and they are getting frustrated. Let them see that you will never leave them or forsake them, but will sit with them and pray them through, until they have solved the problem.

10. Do write out a priority list of all the needs of the home, then set them into a schedule. Without a schedule, the home school will be an absolute shambles.(If you would like more information on how to set up a schedule, then leave a comment below and I will get back to you)

Happy Homeschool, as we co-work with our Heavenly Father, to give our children characters that are Evergreen!