Comments on: How to Make Your Home a Natural Learning Environment

By: 5 Reasons Fiction Writers Should Blog

5 Reasons Fiction Writers Should Blog — Thu, 13 May 2010 12:31:24 +0000

[...] Men with Pens, Storyfix, Nathan Bransford–Literary Agent, World’s Strongest Librarian, Zen Family Habits and Fuel Your [...]

By: Write It Sideways Happenings, April 2010

Write It Sideways Happenings, April 2010 — Sat, 01 May 2010 11:59:05 +0000

[...] How to Make Your Home a Natural Learning Environment [...]

By: Carolina

Carolina — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:55:29 +0000

I’m a big fan of books. Grew up with them – got them as gifts from my grandmother (used!), my father read them to me. I still remember the name of my first chapter book. I read it in second grade – The Wednesday Witch. Although I watched TV, it was never my favorite form of entertainment. I always preferred books and to this day prefer them above TV always.

By: Kimbra’s Kingdom » October is slipping away…

Kimbra’s Kingdom » October is slipping away… — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 13:00:17 +0000

[...] I strongly encourage you to read this article and if you find it useful, I have added Zen Family Habits to my ‘useful sites’ on the [...]

By: Moonlit Minds « Moonlit Minds

Moonlit Minds « Moonlit Minds — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 18:04:03 +0000

[...] How to Make Your Home a Natural Learning Environment [...]

By: Dustin | Engaged Marriage

Dustin | Engaged Marriage — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:59:57 +0000

This is an excellent post! Personally, our family really focuses on #3 Be a good role model. Everything from our desire to learn new things to our insistence that we spend time outdoors as regularly as possible helps to set a healthy example to our 4 year old son and 2 year old daughter.

However, the best thing that we can do for our children is put our marriage first and demonstrate for them that healthy relationships are not only possible, but they should be the norm. That’s a lesson that we really want them to learn and emulate in their own lives.

By: Miche Heredia

Miche Heredia — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:07:19 +0000

Such a great post. So glad you mentioned #5. It costs nothing to involve children in these daily activities, but it does require patience, openness, and most importantly, time.

Often we are so busy and hurry our children through (or right past) otherwise important learning opportunities… It’s worth it to schedule extra time during mornings or evenings to slow down a bit, stop, and allow our children the space they deserve to discover their abilities and practice their newly learned skills.

By: Suzannah-Write It Sideways

Suzannah-Write It Sideways — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:05:06 +0000

@Neal: You’re right–being able to admit your own faults to your children is important. I make it a point to apologize to my son or my students if I’m in the wrong, because they do need to know even adults make mistakes.

@Jonathan: Yes, the ability to self-direct makes a big difference, and it’s an important skill for adulthood. It wasn’t a priority in schools when we were young, but it’s being integrated into the curriculum more and more.

@Michelle: I know, it’s hard to let go, isn’t it? I cringe every time I let my son do something new, but it’s such a relief when he finally gets the hang of it!

Thanks, all!

By: Michelle Traudt

Michelle Traudt — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:44:14 +0000

Great post! I especially liked “Be A Good Role Model”, that is a really good reminder! Also, “Encouraging Independence” is a especially good one for me. It’s easy to get stuck in the habit of doing things for them, we have to remember that as they get older they can do more and more, and they love the independence.

By: Jonathan Frei

Jonathan Frei — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:37:10 +0000

I especially like the idea of helping your children to develop a “self-directed attitude of learning.” My wife was home schooled, and learned this skill very early on. It’s not something I developed until after college, but it makes all the difference.