by Christopher Pyle
We’ll increase the steps to take to ensure renaissance learning here in part II of II. In the first segment of this installment we looked into peer to peer and global socialization needs of the home schooled child and some ways we might ensure we get this socialization. Then we looked at the concept of learning from different environments, getting out of the house and exposing the home…
by Christopher Pyle
We’ll increase the steps to take to ensure renaissance learning here in part II of II. In the first segment of this installment we looked into peer to peer and global socialization needs of the home schooled child and some ways we might ensure we get this socialization. Then we looked at the concept of learning from different environments, getting out of the house and exposing the home school student to experiential learning in the world we live.
There is no weakness in admitting limits to ones ability. In fact, it can be argued he/she who recognizes their own weakness can become stronger by knowing where and when to look for help. This is most important when it comes to educating one’s own child. Perhaps one can teach science but is not a scientist, thus, a science club the home school child can attend to get a deeper level of learning, to be engage in a more significant manner may be a great option. There are many opportunities in our society to augment the home school child’s education, to support the weaker areas of the parent/educator.
As the parent/educator is well aware there is a doubling of stress when one couples the duties of parenting with the duties of teaching. Thus, one may choose to find an alternative environment to teach a lesson once in a while. This done to switch it up, to give the parent and the student a break. This can go a long way to retaining the close bond between educator and student. A new voice can ignite the fires of learning.
By realizing where a weakness may be, one can look to reinforce those areas with expert input thus vastly improving the home school experience for all involved.
Many home schoolers aren’t physical, in fact, this is becoming common among a lot of kids with all the technology in homes these days. In school however, there is PE, sports and recess for the younger kids. Of course each of these activities require physicality. There have been reports documenting the benefits of movement and learning, exercise and health. Of course there are less discussed benefits of movement but they show in athletes, balance, muscle tone, coordination, spacial and self awareness, etc. Of course not all kids are destined to be athletes, in fact most aren’t, but physical health is good holistically.
Fortunately opportunities to get the home schooler active are plenty. Look to your local park and recreation department, community service district, boy and girl club. Boy and Girl Scouts do different outings. There are more individual type activities like biking, hiking, walking, skipping rope. Outdoor oriented adventure camps are excellent for movement, self awareness and introducing children to physical challenge, success and subsequently self confidence. Look to local club type teams or rec department teams in your area. These are seasonal and your child will be able to sample a variety of sports.
Often the result of challenging oneself physically and succeeding in that challenge creates a sense of self confidence that cannot be created otherwise. For some people they may challenge their fear of heights or on television lose the weight they never thought they could, climb Kilimanjaro, swim with sharks, sky dive, swim the English Channel, etc. This is ever so empowering. This leads to a self-awareness we cannot get from a computer, there is a discovery of self that cannot be found otherwise. This makes us better people, stronger people, more confident people. In the home school environment and in any environment, as parents, we want to give our children this gift, this strength to deny negative peer pressures, to make the right decision.
Often the greatest growth comes when students are engaged in a new environment without the parent/educator around, when everything is new, including the instructors. This newness removes old habits of quitting or turning for help prematurely. The student asks for help and the parent has anticipated this need and is there to help. In a new environment the student relies more on his or herself before turning for help. This allows a stretching of one’s personal boundaries, creating a new territory of self definition, allowing for growth and greater self confidence, greater self awareness.
For new friends and intense doses of all the elements we’ve addressed in this two part article, look to an outdoor adventure camp. If you’re lucky enough to find a camp that speaks of experiential learning, you’re better off still more. We specifically suggest an outdoor camp because these are most often going to have a focus on physical/engaged learning with ropes or hikes, whitewater rafting, camping etc. These camps provide a whole host of learning experiences. If you choose a resident style the learning in magnified exponentially. The concentrated experiences lend themselves to tremendous growth and prove extremely healthy to the home schooler who not only finds new confidence but friends to keep in touch throughout the year.
About the Author:
Action Whitewater Adventures is celebrating it’s 20 year anniversary. Action Whitewater saves you 20% on every trip in celebration of 2-decades of quality American River raft trips on the
American River. Owned by Christopher Pyle, a guide of 24-years, AWA is geared and focused on providing you the best experience to be had on the river, from equipment to crew, we’re all about you!
Get Social! Bookmark this page with your favorite Bookmark service below:
Or Post to multiple bookmarking sites at once:
This entry was posted
on Sunday, May 3rd, 2009 at 3:40 am and is filed under Self Improvement.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
Did you enjoy this Article?
Please subscribe to our Feed, it's free of charge!
