Homeschooling Material

Dear parent,

In the early years of their lives children are not unschooled; they simply live and learn through life. They play all day and express themselves through the arts, imagination, creativity and human connection. They don’t need any inspiration. They are born inspired. They develop passions based on what we introduce them to. We must guard the desire to “inspire” and instead, only expose (which is most likely what you meant.)

At age five a child does not need any program at all. He can play all day. The less you direct the more he will develop and inspire himself authentically. He does need protection from influences that may take him away from himself and form his natural inspiration (like media, junk toys, junk music, food etc.)

In the early years the child needs freedom and opportunities to experience life, nature, love and the arts, based on his inclinations. Artistic skills develop the soul, emotions and intelligence. Children thrive on bright colors, classical harmony and melody, graceful body movement and crafting with their own hands. They flourish with play, imagination and self-reliance; they must go their own way.

To provide for these you need no programs not even those that say these same things. Your child is the leader of his own program. Any directions external to the child cary with them the risk of limiting and forming a specific agendas that are not the child’s. Instead, provide tools and access and let your son create himself.

Take your child to nature and introduce him to artistic opportunities at home and in the community. Good quality paints, clay, a piano, music of Mozart and Bach and other soothing harmonies, dance, plant flowers and sing. Take him to classical music concerts, ethnic dance and music performances, ballet, opera (Mozart operas are great for kids except for Don Giovanni,) musicals, jazz, theater, etc. Include him in your life. Go on trips, visit with friends, have interesting guests, and let him play play and play some more.

Everything that is being taught in school over 12 years, can be learned in one to two months by a teenager or a young adult who trusts himself and follows his own passions.

Many home schooling parents do too much and compare too much to school kids. Emotional and intellectual freedom is the ground on which true talent and learning grow.

I now offer a single session with musical and artistic enrichment ideas good for years of self-directed joyful learning. You can sign up for this phone session here: http://authenticparent.com/musical.html

Warmly, Naomi Aldort, http://authenticparent.com