Finding Balance

Quote of the day: "Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance and order and rhythm and harmony." ~ Thomas Merton

I'd like to share some information that I received vie e-mail. I had an opportunity to hear Kathryn Stout speak at a Homeschool Convention 3 yrs ago. She was very encouraging and shared a great deal of wisdom as an educator and homeschool mom. You can read more about her at www.designastudy.com

Here's an excerpt from a recent teaching help e-mail. I found this very helpful by reminding me about the importance of keeping balance in our home school:

Balance also applies to daily schedules. Even meaningful or appealing approaches will leave children discouraged if little time is allotted to building up areas of talent or extreme interest. There's often something a child just "must" do daily in order to feel calm. Some draw or work on a craft, others write. Some need to move-running, bike riding, shooting baskets, others need to build something. My daughter "had to" have time to read books of her own choosing, while my son "needed" to create songs on the piano or violin.

Adults look for jobs where the required skills come fairly easily, not where they must rely on weaknesses day after day. Therefore, kids need to spend time building talents and abilities, working on weak areas to the degree that they won't hinder their future. Therefore, a balanced educational approach will include focus on building our children mentally, physically, and spiritually over all, but with an eye to meeting their need for personal expression. We are each unique, with a God-given purpose. As homeschooling parents we are in a position to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in order to train our children in a way that will prepare them for their destiny in Him. ~ Kathryn Stout

I hope someone finds this information as helpful as I did.