God Schooling: How God Intended Children to Learn ~ Review

This year marks the start of my 12th year homeschooling and like many of you, I am still learning. There are days that homeschooling seems like a daunting task; while most days are so enjoyable. I still find it so encouraging to hear about other homeschool families successes and failures. What worked for them? Why? How can I incorporate some of the things that worked into our homeschool? I recently had the opportunity to read the book God Schooling: How God Intended Children to Learn by Julie Polanco. God Schooling was so filled with encouragement and ideas.

Julie Polanco did a good job putting into words some of the thoughts that Scott and I have as parents. I want to share a few of these instances in which she articulated what we believe:“I want my kids to help out because they understand that they are an important member of the family, not because they will get something for it. What they do get is the satisfaction of knowing that I need them, that I appreciate them, and that I believe that they are capable”

• • This! We have always felt that our job as parents is to equip our children to be adults. The type of adults that will volunteer for a job even if there is no glory or pay involved.
• • Our children are an intragral part of our home and farm life. They each have chores and help because they are part of the family. That certainly doesn’t mean that they are all work and no play, but we want them to be hard working individuals.
• “Young children learn best through projects, activities, and frames. These might be cooking soup, making people with playdough, growing flowers, putting on a puppet show, or building a sandcastle. These are all activities that are easily done as a family and fit nicely with an unschooling lifestyle”
• • I have never thought of our family as an unschooling family; however, I have certainly felt that the kids learn best through projects and activities. Even as they grow older they love to be involved in actual projects whether they be building, growing, cooking, canning or whatever. I am the same way. I learn best by doing.
• • One of my absolute favorite parts of homeschooling is that we can learn and do together!
• “We are to make sure our children know right from wrong in their relationship with God and with others. That is difficult to do if they are not with us. They don’t learn it from sitting in a chair, listening to a teacher tell a story about a child who stole candy. They learn it from how we respond to their daily actions and how we demonstrate proper behavior through our example.”
• • I couldn’t agree more! No matter how you choose to school your children the most important thing you can give them is your time. Don’t be stingy. They are all too soon grown.

Even though we do some review items through the summer the bulk of our school year follows the traditional school schedule except that we take nice day breaks instead of snow days. With that being said, as we look toward starting our new school year, there are several ideas that Julie Polanco shared, we have either been using in our homeschool or that I am working to implement.

I really felt like she was writing to me in much of the book. I have been so encouraged while reading God Schooling. If you are looking for a book filled with encouragment I would really recommended that you get a copy of God Schooling: How God Intended Children to Learn by Julie Polanco and a comfy chair to curl up in.

Connect with Julie Polanco on these Social Media Links: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juliepolancobooks/ @juliepolancobooks
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jpolancobooks/

Be sure to read other reviews from members of the Homeschool Review Crew by clicking the banner below.

Blessings,

Jennifer