– Colossians 3:23
Today, I really worked with Abby on diligence in her school work while her brother and sister were sleeping. I do these “Explode the Code” books with her. I have been pretty laid back about it. She’s not in Kindergarten yet, and I really just want her to enjoy learning without any pressure right now. That said, she often gets 95% of the way done with the page and then doesn’t want to finish the last problem or two. I don’t quite get it. I also haven’t been very intentional about her writing. I have spent a little time teaching her the proper way to do her letters. At times, she’ll do the pages without me, and I don’t emphasize how to do the letter correctly. Today, I talked about diligence in your work before we began. I said that part of diligence is accomplishing the task completely. So, I would expect her to do the entire page. Another part of diligence is doing it the right way, so I would show her the correct way to writer her letters. If the example is in lower case, then we’ll stick with lower case the whole time. She did such a great job. There was no wanting to stop or doing it her own way. She showed diligence through the entire page, and I really praised her a lot for that accomplishment. Here is an example of what her work looked like before and then her diligent work today:
Great job, that is really good work for a little girl who is not in Kindergarden yet. Great job momma
Thank you. She’s doing pretty well. Teaching is just in the blood.
great for her to finish what she starts. May help her if the goal is explicitly stated at the beginning of the task. To those of us who have been through 12-16+ years of school it is obvious that when a page is given the whole page is to be done. Some things that are “obvious” to us are implicit in instructions. Some children need them to be explicit and the expectations and goals clearly set. Also, if she is not even in K she might be truly tired. Not sure of her age but one of the wonderful things about homeschooling is that we don’t need to follow a schedule or scope/sequence as followed by public schools. Little hands get physically tired and some more than others. I know my child was intellectually capable but was not physically or mentally ready for seat work/fine motor skills at a young age. His math is now 5th grade (most oral, mental, iPad apps & manipulatives), science and American history, reading & geography all great and “ahead” but handwriting…K, maybe 1st. Anyway, that was just my child and every child is different. Just thought I would add this two cents. Amazing character series and wonderful ideas that I am using! Appreciate all of your wisdom and willingness to follow the Lord!
You are absolutely right that every child is different, and you need to meet them while they are at and challenge them appropriately. I am so excited that you have found and are using my character series. It’s so at the heart of what I’m doing. I really appreciate your thoughts on this post and love having you here.