Spring 2018

HOMESCHOOLIOWA.ORG

hild development experts confirm that the first five years

of a child’s life shape the child’s future. Deuteronomy 6:4-

9 commands us to teach our children as we sit, walk, lie

down, and get up. But how do we teach our preschool aged chil-

dren at home?

As the owner of a toddler and preschool curriculum website, I

hear often of the challenges that arise when parents are decid-

ing how to go about teaching their children. As a parent and

teacher, I understand the desire to spend time teaching our chil-

dren, but not robbing them of their childhood to do it. There is

a balanced approach and here are three ways to provide your

child with a firm foundation in academics, development, and

biblical learning while still allowing for a generous childhood.

Learning Through Play

Never underestimate the learning that occurs when children

experiment, build, and have imaginative play time. While this

used to be a key part of childhood, sadly electronics and busy

life styles have limited the opportunity for a child to have un-

structured, yet supervised play time.

A child with time for activities like playing outside and rid-

ing bikes will build gross motor skills. Throwing a ball develops

hand-eye coordination. Rebuilding a toppling block tower for

the 10th time teaches self-control, cause and effect, and trial and

error. Dressing up as a super hero or playing with dolls fosters a

child’s imagination.

An added blessing to play is that it often doesn’t require ex-

pensive toys. With a little training on independent play, basic

blocks, empty boxes, and a ball can entertain a child for hours.

So, put away the electronics, turn off the television, and allow

ample time for your child to play. If you are unsure where to be-

gin, a solid curriculum can provide age-appropriate play ideas.

Learning Through Structured Time

While unstructured play is very important for young children,

teaching a child to sit quietly and focused for an age-appropri-

ate amount of time is crucial to build a solid foundation of learn-

ing. It is in learning to sit that a child learns self-control, listening,

and respect for the adult. This training at home prepares a child

to be able to sit unassisted at church or the library. Structured

time could consist of reading, listening to instructions, or doing

a short writing assignment or craft. Helping around the home

with cleaning, cooking, and laundry builds a work ethic beyond

the fine and gross motor training.

Learning Through Teachable Moments

As my children have grown, using teachable moments has

become my favorite way to teach. I define a teachable moment

as “an unplanned, God-given opportunity that arises with your

child or student, that if grasped, provides an ideal chance for

learning to occur.” These are also the times in our day that God

has provided to make a deep impression of Him on our children.

Here are two examples.

1. While giving your child a bath, he remarks that the toy is

sitting on the water. This is a teachable moment to demonstrate

the words “sink” and “float.”

2. While driving in the car, your child points out a beautiful

rainbow. This is a teachable moment to tell the child about God’s

promise to Noah.

There are only two requirements for taking advantage of a

teachable moment: time and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. The

more you take advantage of these opportunities, the more they

will occur.

Often I am asked how long each day child should sit for learn-

ing. While short bursts of structured time is vital, learning is all

around if we will take the time to provide it.

Heidi Franz is a stay-at-home, Jesus-seekin’ momma of four who

loves to connect with other women! Through various methods, Heidi

shares practical tools to transform a home or classroom. When she’s

not blogging at Our Out-of-Sync Life or developing ideas for the ABC

Jesus Loves Me curriculum website, she can be found doing the same

things you do: loving, laughing, calming, training, and impressing

upon her children to live for Christ in this “out-of-sync” world.

Learning Throughout the Day

BY HEIDI FRANZ