Homeschooling with Toddlers

Homeschooling with little ones is not exactly easy. We still have a lot of fun but I will admit we got a lot done a lot faster when it was just the boys and I- but that's not rocket science to imagine. As hard as I try to keep Lily busy and included and all that good stuff, she is still not yet even 2 and distractible and well almost 2... 'nuff said.

For instance just today:

Me: "Let's read this book on Archeology-"

Lily: (Grabs book and takes off yelling, "Mine!")

Me: (Having retrieved book and offered Lily the option of joining us) "Oookay, Archeologists...blah blah... (voice rising over Lily-protests)

Lily: (crying and wrestling me for book as I stubbornly keep trying to read it... I know...)

Boys: (laughing)

This goes on and eventually Lily chills out and we commence... but hence the things done a lot faster in the past claim.

I remember reading several posts and blogs and articles addressing this issue of homeschooling with toddlers and I never paid much attention....til now.... (insert jaws theme track, or psycho theme track...you pick...)

Seriously though- lots of humor and laughs as well.

Lily likes to be right with us whether we are all on the floor or at the table.

As toddlers seem to do, she always has to be standing on the chairs or .... 

  sitting on the table...

She looks so proud of Ben. (If you click on the picture it will open up bigger).

I imagine her saying, "Great job big brother!" Girls show that maternal side soon!

The above happened after I walked out of the room. The boys get a kick out of it and seem to function well amidst the distraction!

Our school time does have an impact on her- here she is playing teacher to Chloe. Chloe looks thrilled :)

And if there is picture action of the boys work...

Lily of course needs her picture taken as well! It's a must!

Stay tuned for more amusing toddler pics of homeschooling hijinks'- soon we will have two toddlers making it all the more fun :)



Layering + Application = Transformation!

I really believe in and have taught (in my BSF teaching days) the concept of "layering" defined by me as those tools and skills that help you over time increase your understanding and thus personal application of what you learn in the Bible. It's really part of sanctification (the process of being made more and more to be Christ-like).

Learning the Bible is critical for your growth as a Christian. How can you obey God when you don't know what his commands are?  How can you grow closer to and learn to love God if you don't know who He is and what His plans are for you?!  And let me be clear that my definition of learning does not include just filling file folders in your brain but making what you learn a part of who you are- application!) As James says in the Bible- Don't just read the Word but do what it says!

In your growth as a Christian, and when studying the Bible, it helps to use many different tools to help you learn and add layers to your understanding.  Your first and foremost "tool" should be of course your Bible!  Another layer of understanding and applying what you read in your Bible can come as you join Bible studies, read commentaries, attend church or Sunday school, utilize Bible dictionaries etc.

With Children this concept is really critical because they do not (nor do adults) typically learn something to the point of application the first time around. Different approaches to the same material are helpful! Some of the things I use in my learning and layering are:

1. Bible Study Fellowship Classes- for me and my kids!
2. 950 AM- WTLN- lots of  good teaching throughout the day! You can see the line up at www.wtln.com. There is a program line up link on the left side- such pastors as Allistair Begg, RC Sproul, David Jeremiah, Dr. J. Vernon McGee and others have daily broadcasts!
3. Various books and devotionals. I will do a post on those another time.
4. Of course my church on Sunday Mornings.
5. Websites such as Bible Gateway and Got Questions?

But this post has a funny picture up top for a reason! Something I have found to be INCREDIBLE for my own learning and for my kids is a new series of DVDs out by Phil Viscer (the creator of Veggie Tales) called, "Whats in the Bible with Buck Denver". Phil Viscer has been truly, in my opinion, gifted by God to put together this series of meaty material that is fun to watch! Phil Viscer himself hosts much of the video and then there are puppets and some cartoons to explain topics. He does not shy away from tough areas and addresses them in segments called "Tricky Bits with Phil"- such areas as creation, the law (why we obey some OT rules today (Love your Neighbor) and disregard others (No Beard Trimming!), why did God allow the Israelites to take land away from the pagans around them, etc.) 

These videos enthrall me and my kids and I'm thrilled because beginning in DVD 1 hard theological concepts are being explained in a way that ANYONE could understand. I was nearly sputtering as I asked my boys if they realized how awesome it was to have access to such material at their age! Of course they look at me strange and have no idea how blessed they are- but that's okay.

There are 9 DVDs out so far plus a Christmas DVD. We are on DVD 4 and have gone thru Genesis to Joshua. DVD 9 just released this month and finishes out the Old Testament and other DVDs for the New Testament are in production.

If you have shied away from cartoonish videos relating to Christianity before (like Veggie Tales) I would implore you to rethink your position. These videos, in my opinion, are powerful tools that will help your child get a good grasp of the Bible and as Phil puts it, "Gods Rescue Plan"!

I can't recommend this series enough. I am encouraging everyone I know to get them all- make the investment! Again, this is not the only means to use to teach your children (and maybe yourself) about the bible- but it's a great "layer" in the process! We will be using them over and over again to help us learn and apply all that the Bible has to teach us!

My kids this year are going to be studying Genesis thru BSF, we will use the What's in the Bible series, and memorizing a new Bible verse each week. We also read various books we have on our shelves like the ABCs of Church History, Trial and Triumph, Arch Series, and many others.

Fill your family's Biblical arsenal and add a crucial layer to help grow and nourish your and your children's walk with God!