Simplicity and Education
Specifically home education, and even more specifically, my home and my children’s education.
“Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life”
– Charlotte Maria Shaw Mason
This quote has been a long time theme of how we home educate.
Learning is a lifestyle that permeates every space and aspect of out home but we have no designated “learning space” in our home. We use our extra wide dining room table for seatwork but allow working in other places (kitchen counter, living room and sometimes bedrooms) as needed. Paper and art supplies are accessible and plentiful and a microscope, science experiment “things” and field guides are always at the ready. A map of the world and one of the United States hang on the walls of the den and icons and religious art adorn the rest of the house.
In general our home would seem rather unremarkable to most – especially in terms of homeschooling. It is neat and orderly but there is no specifically obvious system of organization. There is no preschool center or Montessori inspired atrium. Instead there’s a basket of toys by the window. Simple, small and often played with.
There’s a cabinet where we keep games we like to play and the family computer. There are, of course, many, many books, all on various shelves throughout the house. There is a semblance of organization to them but I have learned that too rigid of a plan in that regards leads to a frustrated mommy and unhappy children.
I marvel at all the beautiful, even intricate, details that so many homeschooling families have strived for and managed in their homes with regards to learning spaces. I think it’s wonderful, I just know it doesn’t work for us. I know because I tried it for quite a while and in the end realized that too much planning and precision didn’t make for the atmosphere of love, beauty, simplicity and grace we were seeking.
Mind you, we do have order and discipline. The discipline of habits, daily chores and routines as well as the discipline of striving to grow in virtue. These are the things that we work to maintain and cultivate daily.
But my vison has shifted in recent years. Difficulties, trials and tribulations have given me a different perspective. Dietrich von Hildebrand wrote that “The Gospel intends us to attain to true simplicity: simplicity in the sense of an inward unity of life ” and “The more our life is permeated by God, the simpler it becomes.”
That’s my goal this year for my family. Greater unity with God. Seeking first His kingdom and trusting that all things shall be added unto it.
Copyright © 2006 Michele Quigley All Rights Reserved.
4 Responses to Simplicity and Education
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Jill Gaglione says:
I have been trying to figure out if I am the kind of mom that has what it takes to home school. After reading your thoughts I think it may be possible.
When I see all the pictures of each families classrooms I become very overwhelmed.
I pray daily that God shows me the way.
God Bless you and your family and thank you for your thoughts.
Jill -
Kitty says:
I tried having a “classroom” where we kept supplies and desks and had classes in there, but with toddlers crying at the door because they weren’t allowed in (because of small pieces that would inevitably end up in mouths, and messy and dangerous things in their reach), I decided to keep the damgerous things out of reach, but we “do school” at the dining room table where the little ones are happier playing near us. We’re all much happier, and “school” gets done a lot faster, too!
…”Learning is a lifestyle that permeates every space and aspect of our home but we have no designated “learning space” in our home…”
I could have written this – so thank _you_for writing it. I suppose if pressed, our learning space is the diningroom table
Blessings,
Denise