The Most Important Thing

 

For ten days now I’ve shared my thoughts on raising lifelong learners. Funny, really, that it’s taken me so long to write about exactly what that means to me. You, know, because I named my whole blog after it, and all.

I’ve talked about a lot – learning environments, literacy, play, storage, chores, projects, reading, and writing. All of that is great information. It helps us be intentional parents. It gives us a compass against which to measure the choices we make regarding our kids’ childhood experiences.

 

Raising Lifelong Learners a Ten Day Series via www.RaisingLifelongLearners.com Day Ten 

That information is valuable… but it’s secondary.

Here’s the thing – if we’re not modeling lifelong learning, our kids will not embrace that lifestyle. If we don’t seek knowledge, read, and write as we live, our kids will chalk our instructions up as just something we’re saying. They won’t internalize it.

 

If we want our kids to be readers, we have to read.

If we want our kids to be writers, we have to write.

If we want our kids to be lifelong learners, we have to be lifelong learners too.

 

Raising Readers

What are you doing to show your kids that you value reading? Do you pull out a magazine or a book in the evening instead of turning on the television? Do you talk with them about books and stories and characters? If your child asks a question, do you take him to the library to find a book on the subject?

It’s simple – you show your kids that you value books when you read them.

 

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Raising Writers

I’m not suggesting that everyone will write a book or blog, but it’s important for kids to see and value writing. If you don’t write for publication like I do, do you journal? Scrapbook and document family events?

Let your kids see you writing, even if it’s as simple as taking the time to write out the things you’re grateful for each night or a wake up message on the bathroom mirror in dry erase marker.

 

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Raising Lifelong Learners

Are you afraid to admit when you don’t know something? Or do you tell your child that you have no idea what the difference between pyroclastic flows and pahoehoe lava flows is, and go find out? Do you go to conferences, workshops, and take classes? Do your kids see you as a lifelong learner?

It is so important that your kids see you learning and actively seeking knowledge. They will value it if you do.

Sit down with them when you put on a video about Pompeii and the Mount Vesuvius eruption, and talk about what you didn’t know. Learn alongside of them – this is one of my favorite things about homeschooling. When we delve into a topic, we all learn.

My kids know that I go to at least one conference and take one class each year. I’ve taken classes on science and nature writing, other types of writing, have attended and spoken at blog conferences, children’s writing conferences, and education conventions. For my 40th birthday next month, I asked for a photography class. When Trevor asked if I’d rather have a new camera {I would, but that’s not in the budget}, I told him that I wanted to learn to use the equipment I had better, so a class is the best gift they can give me.

I value learning.

I’m a lifelong learner.

 

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So, how are you going to go forward? What are the first steps you’re taking to ensure your kids grow to be lifelong learners? And how are YOU a lifelong learner?

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