Instruct. This is the age of reason. The season when children start to verbalize their thoughts, to read, to write, and be physically coordinated. This is the moment that we exposed Johanan then Jemimah to various activities that encouraged the love for learning (Also, we were intentional about encouraging the older brother to help the younger sister). This is the time that they learnt that perseverance pays off.
I remember having read this quote, “Today’s little moments become tomorrow’s precious moments.”
Skills development. They were encouraged to learn any skill that was age appropriate from the simple graduating to the complex; e.g., from using bowls with suction bases and allowing them to eat with their fingers, to holding their own spoon, to eating by themselves with spoon and fork; from trainer cups, to regular plastic cups, to breakable glasses (yes, it was messy!!); from shape sorters, to building blocks, to puzzles; from Duplo, to Lego, to model making, to using tools; from finger/foot painting, to crayons, to marker pens, to paint brushes, to pencils and ball-point pens; from indescribable doodles, to shapes, to line drawing, to one-point perspectives; from xylophone, to noisy drums, to horns, to guitar, to piano; from abstract, to impressionist, to realism art; from tearing paper, to blunt scissors, to sharp scissors; from paste, to glue, to stapler; from picking-up toys after play, to putting their folded clothes in their cabinet (never mind if it gets messed up), to choosing their own clothes to wear, to wiping spilt drink, to sweeping the floor, to washing the car (even a section), to washing the dishes;
from tumbling, to Little Tike slides, to climbing and hanging on monkey bars, to climbing trees; from garden hose baths, to bath tubs, to kiddie pools wearing floaters, to supervised pool dips with life vests, to swimming lessons with goggles, to lakes and beaches; from baby car seats, to strictly insisting on car seats, booster seats, seat belts; from Little Tykes push cars, to go carts, to 2-wheel scooters, to kids bicycle-with-trainer-wheels, to bicycle; from roller blades with gloves, knee pads, and helmet, to ice skating with the proper protective gear, to skate boards; from toy guns to water guns (to live bullets as teens and young adults. Don’t mess with them!).
We were safety conscious yet allowing them the opportunity to fall or fail and get back up (Please, dad/mom, do not hover over them but be attentive; let them learn from their own mistakes). Each task built on the ability and confidence to try bigger and be better.
Learning a new skill builds a child’s confidence and teaches courage. We were protective of our children in areas of influence. Anything that provoked fear was a red light! That explains why we took the radical choice to live without a physical TV, instead the home was stacked with a gamut of books; to be hands-on and have no yayas; household helps were by referral and screened for beliefs and character (no “hala ka!” statements allowed). We chose doctors, dentists, instructors, party hosts that knew how to handle children and were positive in their approach. We chose whom they were allowed to be with.
Stella and I spoke to them in English; the helps, Tagalog; during their visits my father-in-law spoke Ilongo; mother-in-law, Spanish (Had my mother been alive, she would have been tasked to speak either in Pangasinan or Kapampangan).
Exploration. There is something about the outdoors or new sceneries that challenges the imagination. We had regular visits to open parks; dropping by relatives, friends, and neighbor’s home; going to public places; and out of town vacations. Should you have the ability for Home School by all means opt for it.
The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.1 This truth applies to our children as well. As parents we are merely stewards for God; they are endowed with gifts for a purpose and we are entrusted to enhance those gifts for His glory.
Each of us will give an account of himself to God.2 For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.3
A well-rounded, educated child is a caring, confident, courageous child.
Note:
1. Romans 8:16
2. Romans 14:12
3. Romans 14:7-8
