When home got too difficult, distracting and unfriendly- to- quiet for my youngest homeschooler (15), I packed up his books and took him to the library. Every morning, we got dressed up and took his books to the large, elegant library in town. We went upstairs in the antique building with all its stately furniture, and sat in a large room, for 2 hours, and did his studies. It was inspiring!
It seemed like we were in Boston, sitting in one of the rooms at Harvard College. (Okay, I have a vivid imagination!) But the environment of that library inspired us to want to learn. . . To want to be quiet and to really study. While my teenager worked on his books, his math and his writing, I crocheted or read from John Wesley's journals. I sat across the table from my student and was available at any moment to help him. But we mostly worked quietly and independently because that is how the best of learning takes place - when one is thinking and analyzing on one's own.
At times we would take breaks. I would look at the archives of historic books in the vaults, or take in the old artwork on the walls. My student would walk through the different rooms and see what kinds of books were available. Then we would get back to our quiet little world of learning.
This daily excursion went on for months. All too soon, the season changed and many new patrons were arriving to use computers. The tables and desks in every room were crowded with people needing wifi, and that took away the beauty and the silence of the inspired world of old fashioned learning. So we stopped going.
I am remembering this today because, once again, my home has become crowded with noise, distractions and a great many people. The environment has become unfriendly to education. So I must find a way to turn my own stately old home into a library of sorts. I will work on enticing the family to want to sit and learn in any of the rooms. I must pull out exciting literature, decorate the walls with art that makes one think, and try my very best to compete with the allurement of video games, computers and television. Somehow, I will make my home into a pleasant type of library that is far more interesting than the distractions that go on here. And once I set my mind to do this, the happiness it brings me will be infectious! All the children will think learning is pleasant, and that studying is delightful. Even if it is only for 2 hours each day.
Blessings
Mrs. White
Never Forget This - Education Must Not Be Rushed.
The Comfort of Home - The Light in the Window.
No Chores For Me - Mother's Cleaning Recovery.
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