The importance of a love for learning.

During today's home school time I was struck again by just how different each of my children are. And nothing shows these differences more than how they learn, or more accurately how they feel about learning. My six year old started kindergarten this past fall and before I started I was a little concerned about how I would have the time to teach 3 children. But with about 5 months under my belt I have decided that it was the best thing for me! She has such a love for learning, she just devours her workbooks! She is even asking to do school on the weekends and never gives me any sass when I say it is time to do school, and is sad when her school is over.  It has been such a breath of fresh air! Now I suppose after watching big brother and sister do school for a few years made her chomp at the bit for her turn, but I believe there is more to it than that. She seems to be wired with a love for learning!

Now I am seeing how a love for learning can affect a persons approach to learning new things as my oldest seems to be struggling with a perfection complex. When approaching a new concept she is obsessed with getting it right rather than enjoying the process of discovering something new. I've lost track of the times I had to say "it's okay to get it wrong, that's why we are doing school, so we can learn!" But as the tears stream down her face, she looks at me as if I've lost my mind. I don't know where this has come from as she been home schooled her whole life and has never even taken a formal test or received a "grade". But I am starting to think it may be how she is naturally wired and I need to bring the joy of learning back into the process.

In my simple observation I have come away with a lesson I hope to apply, but it may be easier said than done. Approach new things with joy and enjoy the experience instead of being obsessed with the outcome. Being miserable about having to learn something new causes us to miss the amazing discoveries found in "the unknown".

New Year New Season!

2011, really? Already? I know I heard "old people" say "the older you get the faster time flies". But when you are 5 how do you put that in perspective? Well I definitely have some perspective now. There is nothing like watching your children grow to act as a very affective road marker to the passage of time. But while it saddens me on many levels, it is also my greatest joy! I love to observe lessons learned, the good decisions made, and the personality emerge. So with this new year and new season comes a new venture for me, with the main motivation being to preserve these memories and remember the lessons that I learn through my journey of motherhood. These are precious days, but also busy days! I desire to be intentional in remembering them, and if anyone is blessed along the way- bonus! But let me be the first to warn you, as the name explains these will be random. As I learn them, I'll pass them along. Many of the thoughts expressed will be from MommyLand, where I reside 24/7. (They say to write what you know) So with a multitude of good intentions I say..let the journey begin!