Challenge not Test The difference between testing and challenging our children is not just semantic. It is a paradigm shift that can lead to significant changes in your relationship with your children and their education. Testing focuses on what one does not know. Challenging focuses on what one does know. Testing builds tension and self-doubt. Challenging builds inspiration and confidence. A test focuses on the result; a challenge focuses on the journey.
If we really want to improve the education of our children let's start with challenging more and testing less. Let's focus on what they have learned and celebrate that success. Oliver Demille, author of the Thomas Jefferson Education says to "inspire, not require". Inspiring our children takes time, energy, creativity and attention to who they are as individuals. Inspiring may take more effort than just requiring they study but the results are much better. The atmosphere we create should include knowledge that mistakes are part of the process of learning and are not a problem but rather an opportunity to grow and improve. An inspired child can not help but to learn; almost learning by accident. A child required to study can spend many hours that result in very little or even nothing.
As a homeschool parent, I have occasionally forgone the end of week spelling test and just asked my son to spell as many of the words from the lesson that he knew he could spell correctly. Other times I have asked him to tell me or to write down all that he learned from the day's history lesson and then was sure to celebrate all the ideas and facts he could remember and express. I didn't even mention all the information he forgot... and that was quite a challenge for me.
Love & Logic Parenting We recommend 'Love and Logic Parenting’ for all parents who want to raise responsible, happy children who are fun to be around. The practical tools and techniques of 'Love & Logic Parenting' are a cornerstone for any parent wanting a practical, no-nonsense approach to parenting. "Love allows children to grow through their mistakes, and logic allows children to learn from the consequences of their choices." To learn more about 'Love & Logic Parenting', please visit their website at http://www.loveandlogic.com.
Avenues of the Mind would be happy to facilitate 'Becoming a Love and Logic Parent' workshop for your group or school. Please call 239-229-7513 for scheduling.