We have borrowed a set of Your Story Hour – stories of the Old Testament. The children have been so thoroughly enjoying these stories last night we let them eat their dinner down in the family room listening to the story of Joseph. They begged for a later bedtime – which we gave them – so they could finish it.
Not only are they listening though (and consequently learning or being refreshed in the Bible Stories) they are sitting quietly at their desks working away at various projects. At any one time there might be doodling, or writing, or drawing going on. Last night Nomi created a Writing Folder. She took an old binder/portfolio and in the envelope/pockets she inserted stickers, in another stationery and in another scrapbooking paper. She is still to find a place for lined paper. She has her pens, and eraser in a little slot and she is ready to go!
Masterly inactivity – though I haven’t read much on Charlotte Mason’s concept here I am struck by the creative works, be that thinking, writing, art, or making something, that often comes from our children when I am not expecting anything from them.
I believe in giving them plenty of “down” time, time to be a child and it is in these times that I see learning happen – and often it is in keeping with their inclinations, passions and bents!
