Natural learning
multimomma
I had posted in my intro about my daughter with autism, and how we have a fairly consistent
schedule because of her needs, as well as some set table time because the way her brain
works she does need to have certain things done for her so she can understand.
but then I started to think about all the other things that we do, that really make our home a
natural learning environment. Because of her deficits, she does not necessarily learn by
watching, like many kids do, through example. Most of our education is real world though,
and her math is going to the store and buying things, learning how to order at fast food
restaurants, how to pay, get change, etc.
In that way parents are facilitators, what are some other ways that parents on this board
facilitate education? I just wonder if parents here ever contrive a learning situation. This past
week, the kids are interested in chemistry, so I made sure that in our baking we talked about
chemical reactions, changed the recipes some to see how more baking soda affected the
dough, etc. When we were boiling water we started with ice cubes and talked about changing
energy to move through states of matter (josh's interests right now is chemistry and narnia)
Anyway, I must go, there's a brawl afoot. Thanks in advance for whatever replies I get. :-)
Melissa
schedule because of her needs, as well as some set table time because the way her brain
works she does need to have certain things done for her so she can understand.
but then I started to think about all the other things that we do, that really make our home a
natural learning environment. Because of her deficits, she does not necessarily learn by
watching, like many kids do, through example. Most of our education is real world though,
and her math is going to the store and buying things, learning how to order at fast food
restaurants, how to pay, get change, etc.
In that way parents are facilitators, what are some other ways that parents on this board
facilitate education? I just wonder if parents here ever contrive a learning situation. This past
week, the kids are interested in chemistry, so I made sure that in our baking we talked about
chemical reactions, changed the recipes some to see how more baking soda affected the
dough, etc. When we were boiling water we started with ice cubes and talked about changing
energy to move through states of matter (josh's interests right now is chemistry and narnia)
Anyway, I must go, there's a brawl afoot. Thanks in advance for whatever replies I get. :-)
Melissa
Deb
We don't contrive learning situations because life is full of them
already. If DS -wants- to learn about the properties of baking soda,
we get out the baking soda and go to town with it (volcanoes are
always fun!). We do talk about things as he asks or when something is
interesting *to us*. I'll mention over dinner something I found out
that was of interest. It may be one sentence and away it goes, it may
end up being a 20 minute discussion, it may end up leading to
excursions, websites, and other things down the road, or it may simply
remain one sentence. If we're baking I might mention that I need to
measure the baking soda or baking powder carefully (as opposed to
splashing in the vanilla) and why. In a world brimming over with
things to explore, we've yet to find a need to contrive anything that
didn't come up somehow on it's own.
Seems to me (just the way I'm 'hearing' it) that needing to contrive
learning situations has at back of it an expectation of what kids
are 'supposed to' know, do, be taught. If they're interested in
chemistry, get out the household non-toxics and a book of kitchen
table science and set to it - no need to contrive it, they're already
asking for it. If they're not asking for it, then contriving it will
simply go in one ear and out the other because it has no place to
latch on to.
--Deb
already. If DS -wants- to learn about the properties of baking soda,
we get out the baking soda and go to town with it (volcanoes are
always fun!). We do talk about things as he asks or when something is
interesting *to us*. I'll mention over dinner something I found out
that was of interest. It may be one sentence and away it goes, it may
end up being a 20 minute discussion, it may end up leading to
excursions, websites, and other things down the road, or it may simply
remain one sentence. If we're baking I might mention that I need to
measure the baking soda or baking powder carefully (as opposed to
splashing in the vanilla) and why. In a world brimming over with
things to explore, we've yet to find a need to contrive anything that
didn't come up somehow on it's own.
Seems to me (just the way I'm 'hearing' it) that needing to contrive
learning situations has at back of it an expectation of what kids
are 'supposed to' know, do, be taught. If they're interested in
chemistry, get out the household non-toxics and a book of kitchen
table science and set to it - no need to contrive it, they're already
asking for it. If they're not asking for it, then contriving it will
simply go in one ear and out the other because it has no place to
latch on to.
--Deb
multimomma
Perhaps so. But if you bring up a topic they've not yet expressed interest in, and then
they're interested, then that's your 'sentence at the table'. Josh never thought that there
was a math higher than what he already learned. So when I bring up "the next step", that's
fairly contrived. Maybe it's a matter of perception.
I guess still that brick and morter instilled subconscious thought that kids won't think of it
(the next step) on their own. I was having trouble discerning where the kids own
curiousity blends in with a parent introducing a new topic. I thought Josh would be
interested in chemistry, so I pulled up a website and asked what he thought of it. Is that
considered contrived?
Anyway, thanks for the feedback,
melissa
they're interested, then that's your 'sentence at the table'. Josh never thought that there
was a math higher than what he already learned. So when I bring up "the next step", that's
fairly contrived. Maybe it's a matter of perception.
I guess still that brick and morter instilled subconscious thought that kids won't think of it
(the next step) on their own. I was having trouble discerning where the kids own
curiousity blends in with a parent introducing a new topic. I thought Josh would be
interested in chemistry, so I pulled up a website and asked what he thought of it. Is that
considered contrived?
Anyway, thanks for the feedback,
melissa
--- In [email protected], "Deb" <soggyboysmom@y...> wrote:
> Seems to me (just the way I'm 'hearing' it) that needing to contrive
> learning situations has at back of it an expectation of what kids
> are 'supposed to' know, do, be taught. If they're interested in
> chemistry, get out the household non-toxics and a book of kitchen
> table science and set to it - no need to contrive it, they're already
> asking for it. If they're not asking for it, then contriving it will
> simply go in one ear and out the other because it has no place to
> latch on to.
Rebecca DeLong
I wanted to share this with someone other than Jason(dh) who would get a kick out of it as much as we did...
The other night Jaiden(7yrs) and I were reading a book on being a knight(and armour you'd rather not wear). We got to a page on the crusades and he asked why they were fighting. I explained as best as I could remember and we are waiting for Kingdom of Heaven to be returned to the video store...I digress...'neways we started discussing religion vs spirituality and Jaiden came up with that religion is like getting a premade sandwich, you may not like everything on it but it's all ready and waiting for you to eat it. Spirituality is like making your own sandwich you can go to the store and get all the things you like and put just those things on them, and that way we all get the sandwich that we want.
He's decided he wants to build his own sandwich. :)
Jason and I thought it was cool.
~Rebecca
You know, Hobbes, some days even my lucky rocketship underpants don't help."
-Calvin
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The other night Jaiden(7yrs) and I were reading a book on being a knight(and armour you'd rather not wear). We got to a page on the crusades and he asked why they were fighting. I explained as best as I could remember and we are waiting for Kingdom of Heaven to be returned to the video store...I digress...'neways we started discussing religion vs spirituality and Jaiden came up with that religion is like getting a premade sandwich, you may not like everything on it but it's all ready and waiting for you to eat it. Spirituality is like making your own sandwich you can go to the store and get all the things you like and put just those things on them, and that way we all get the sandwich that we want.
He's decided he wants to build his own sandwich. :)
Jason and I thought it was cool.
~Rebecca
You know, Hobbes, some days even my lucky rocketship underpants don't help."
-Calvin
---------------------------------
Yahoo! DSL Something to write home about. Just $16.99/mo. or less
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Rebecca DeLong
I wanted to share this with someone other than Jason(dh) who would get a kick out of it as much as we did...
The other night Jaiden(7yrs) and I were reading a book on being a knight(and armour you'd rather not wear). We got to a page on the crusades and he asked why they were fighting. I explained as best as I could remember and we are waiting for Kingdom of Heaven to be returned to the video store...I digress...'neways we started discussing religion vs spirituality and Jaiden came up with that religion is like getting a premade sandwich, you may not like everything on it but it's all ready and waiting for you to eat it. Spirituality is like making your own sandwich you can go to the store and get all the things you like and put just those things on them, and that way we all get the sandwich that we want.
He's decided he wants to build his own sandwich. :)
Jason and I thought it was cool.
~Rebecca
You know, Hobbes, some days even my lucky rocketship underpants don't help."
-Calvin
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The other night Jaiden(7yrs) and I were reading a book on being a knight(and armour you'd rather not wear). We got to a page on the crusades and he asked why they were fighting. I explained as best as I could remember and we are waiting for Kingdom of Heaven to be returned to the video store...I digress...'neways we started discussing religion vs spirituality and Jaiden came up with that religion is like getting a premade sandwich, you may not like everything on it but it's all ready and waiting for you to eat it. Spirituality is like making your own sandwich you can go to the store and get all the things you like and put just those things on them, and that way we all get the sandwich that we want.
He's decided he wants to build his own sandwich. :)
Jason and I thought it was cool.
~Rebecca
You know, Hobbes, some days even my lucky rocketship underpants don't help."
-Calvin
---------------------------------
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Paige Parr
Rebecca DeLong <elfmama_2@...> wrote:
Jaiden came up with that religion is like getting a premade sandwich, you may not like everything on it but it's all ready and waiting for you to eat it. Spirituality is like making your own sandwich you can go to the store and get all the things you like and put just those things on them, and that way we all get the sandwich that we want.
He's decided he wants to build his own sandwich. :)
Jason and I thought it was cool.
~Rebecca
============================================================
OH, so VERY cool! I had a great big crazy grin on my face when I read Jaiden's "theory"!
Love it!
Paige Parr, in Virginia (fellow sandwich-maker)
Paige in Virginia
Unschooling Mama to four daughters: Shelby (12), Tori (7), Ashlyn (6), and Loryn (3)
I'm bloggin' here: http://autodidactsanonymous.blogspot.com/
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Jaiden came up with that religion is like getting a premade sandwich, you may not like everything on it but it's all ready and waiting for you to eat it. Spirituality is like making your own sandwich you can go to the store and get all the things you like and put just those things on them, and that way we all get the sandwich that we want.
He's decided he wants to build his own sandwich. :)
Jason and I thought it was cool.
~Rebecca
============================================================
OH, so VERY cool! I had a great big crazy grin on my face when I read Jaiden's "theory"!
Love it!
Paige Parr, in Virginia (fellow sandwich-maker)
Paige in Virginia
Unschooling Mama to four daughters: Shelby (12), Tori (7), Ashlyn (6), and Loryn (3)
I'm bloggin' here: http://autodidactsanonymous.blogspot.com/
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Mother Earth (Tyra)
That is WAY cool!!!!!!!!!! Jaiden is an example of the wisdom of children!
Peace
Tyra
Peace
Tyra
----- Original Message -----
From: Rebecca DeLong
To: [email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2006 3:18 PM
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] wanted to share this...
Jaiden came up with that religion is like getting a premade sandwich, you may not like everything on it but it's all ready and waiting for you to eat it. Spirituality is like making your own sandwich you can go to the store and get all the things you like and put just those things on them, and that way we all get the sandwich that we want.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Rebecca DeLong
I'm still amazed at his thought process.
It was much later in my life that I realized that not only could I make my own sandwich but that it was okay to do it.
I love that he's come up with this on his own .
~Rebecca
Paige Parr <chixathome@...> wrote:
============================================================
OH, so VERY cool! I had a great big crazy grin on my face when I read Jaiden's "theory"!
Love it!
Paige Parr, in Virginia (fellow sandwich-maker)
Dreaming permits each and everyone of us to be quietly and safely insane each and evey night of our lives.
~William Dement
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
It was much later in my life that I realized that not only could I make my own sandwich but that it was okay to do it.
I love that he's come up with this on his own .
~Rebecca
Paige Parr <chixathome@...> wrote:
============================================================
OH, so VERY cool! I had a great big crazy grin on my face when I read Jaiden's "theory"!
Love it!
Paige Parr, in Virginia (fellow sandwich-maker)
Dreaming permits each and everyone of us to be quietly and safely insane each and evey night of our lives.
~William Dement
---------------------------------
Yahoo! DSL Something to write home about. Just $16.99/mo. or less
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Rebecca DeLong
He and his brothers knock my socks off every day with their vision of the world.
I love that they give me a chance to see everything in a new and interesting way.
~Rebecca
"Mother Earth (Tyra)" <motherspirit@...> wrote:
That is WAY cool!!!!!!!!!! Jaiden is an example of the wisdom of children!
Peace
Tyra
I love that they give me a chance to see everything in a new and interesting way.
~Rebecca
"Mother Earth (Tyra)" <motherspirit@...> wrote:
That is WAY cool!!!!!!!!!! Jaiden is an example of the wisdom of children!
Peace
Tyra
----- Original Message -----
From: Rebecca DeLong
To: [email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2006 3:18 PM
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] wanted to share this...
Jaiden came up with that religion is like getting a premade sandwich, you may not like everything on it but it's all ready and waiting for you to eat it. Spirituality is like making your own sandwich you can go to the store and get all the things you like and put just those things on them, and that way we all get the sandwich that we want.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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Dreaming permits each and everyone of us to be quietly and safely insane each and evey night of our lives.
~William Dement
---------------------------------
Yahoo! DSL Something to write home about. Just $16.99/mo. or less
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
nrskay
> He's decided he wants to build his own sandwich. :)Wohderful analogy! I rented the Kingdom of Heaven, my 11 yo dd left
>
> Jason and I thought it was cool.
>
> ~Rebecca
>
during the movie, she couldn't take the violence. It is a great
movie, but maybe too intense for some kids.
Kay
[email protected]
>>Spirituality is like making your own sandwich you can go to the store and get all the things you like and put just those things on them, and that way we all get the sandwich that we want.>>Very cool metaphor! We love metaphors here. To take it even further, some of us don't even want a sandwich at all. So our spirituality comes as a wrap with a side of soup and a small salad. :o)
--
~Mary
"The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the
green earth, dwelling deeply in the present moment and feeling truly
alive."
Rebecca DeLong
zenmomma@... wrote:
Very cool metaphor! We love metaphors here. To take it even further, some of us don't even want a sandwich at all. So our spirituality comes as a wrap with a side of soup and a small salad. :o)
****************
Very true. :)
-sorry my comma button is stuck-
Jaiden Jason and I have been talking about this a bunch more and Jaiden has been wondering were religion and spirituality meet.
His examples/questions: If a bunch of other people like your sandwich and want it the same way does spirituality become religion?
If your sandwich has been selling and then nobody wants to buy it anymore does religion become spiritualiy or does it just go bad and yucky?
If you've made a sandwich that you think you'd like but hten you taste it and you don't can you just throw it away and make a new one?
What happens if you never make up your mind and get to eat your sandwich.
I'm loving the way his mind works!
The disscussions lately have had me hungy for sandwiches.
~Rebecca
Dreaming permits each and everyone of us to be quietly and safely insane each and evey night of our lives.
~William Dement
---------------------------------
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Very cool metaphor! We love metaphors here. To take it even further, some of us don't even want a sandwich at all. So our spirituality comes as a wrap with a side of soup and a small salad. :o)
****************
Very true. :)
-sorry my comma button is stuck-
Jaiden Jason and I have been talking about this a bunch more and Jaiden has been wondering were religion and spirituality meet.
His examples/questions: If a bunch of other people like your sandwich and want it the same way does spirituality become religion?
If your sandwich has been selling and then nobody wants to buy it anymore does religion become spiritualiy or does it just go bad and yucky?
If you've made a sandwich that you think you'd like but hten you taste it and you don't can you just throw it away and make a new one?
What happens if you never make up your mind and get to eat your sandwich.
I'm loving the way his mind works!
The disscussions lately have had me hungy for sandwiches.
~Rebecca
Dreaming permits each and everyone of us to be quietly and safely insane each and evey night of our lives.
~William Dement
---------------------------------
Yahoo! Photos
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 1/4/2006 4:19:38 PM Eastern Standard Time,
elfmama_2@... writes:
Jaiden came up with that religion is like getting a premade sandwich, you
may not like everything on it but it's all ready and waiting for you to eat it.
Spirituality is like making your own sandwich you can go to the store and
get all the things you like and put just those things on them, and that way we
all get the sandwich that we want.
What a neat way to describe it! I love it!!
Jenny
Unschooling in Greenfield, MA
Danny (12-1-99), Kelsey (11-1-01) and Evelyn (5-19-04)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The important thing is not so much that every child should be taught, as
that every child should be given the wish to learn. ~John Lubbock
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
elfmama_2@... writes:
Jaiden came up with that religion is like getting a premade sandwich, you
may not like everything on it but it's all ready and waiting for you to eat it.
Spirituality is like making your own sandwich you can go to the store and
get all the things you like and put just those things on them, and that way we
all get the sandwich that we want.
What a neat way to describe it! I love it!!
Jenny
Unschooling in Greenfield, MA
Danny (12-1-99), Kelsey (11-1-01) and Evelyn (5-19-04)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The important thing is not so much that every child should be taught, as
that every child should be given the wish to learn. ~John Lubbock
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]