"My son is 7 years old and is your typical boy - loves to be outside playing 24/7 with no interest in learning or school. He’s just starting the 1st grade and I’m concerned that he’s not learning or retaining what he should be. The real problem being we cannot get him interested in learning… I was hoping that maybe you could suggest a learning program that I could use at home that would spark his interest in learning."
Well, here is my response to her:
"Thanks for the encouragement about my blog! It's always good to hear from those who read.
I love to hear from parents who desire to do all they can to provide everything their children need! Isn't it great being a part of their growing up? (Well, most days ;) )
Now, if I understand you correctly, you are still planning on sending him to the local school, but you want to supplement his learning at home. If I'm wrong, be sure to correct me.
Honestly, with a 7 year old boy, I think he's doing exactly what he's supposed to be doing! Some studies have suggested that boys should not be subjected to a classroom until they are at least 10 or 12 years old. They have found that boys that are allowed to develop their bodies through rigorous play in their younger years, and then start formal schooling at 10 years old, are all caught up with their peers in education by the time they are 12 or 13. They just have the capacity to sit and concentrate for longer periods of time when you wait a little while.
So, I'm not sure I would even suggest a learning program for him on top of the school work he'll already be needing to do. What I would do is, if you haven't already, start reading out loud to him every day from great books. Boys that age tend to love historical fiction, especially adventure books. GA Henty wrote dozens of great books for boys (my son loves them), biographies of the childhood of famous Americans are great, stories of heroism and faithfulness inspire our boys to want to be all they can be in life. One great shorter book is called the Birkenhead Drill (it's by Doug Phillips, I think). It tells a great story of a British ship filled with soldiers and their families, and what happened when the ship began to take on water. It's short, and it tells a great story. There is even a fantastic poem in it of heroism and bravery that your son may like enough to memorize! If you just take the time to read one chapter a day - maybe at night before bed - from any great book, you will be amazed at what your son takes away from it. His play may even change.
I believe the best thing we can do for our boys is let them grow up to be men. By that, I mean to let them play hard, work hard, think hard, and learn to love their families. The school learning is good for them, and it helps with many things in life, but it's not the end, it's a tool.
I would completely relax right now about his sitting to learn time, and even if he doesn't 'do well' in school for a couple of years, I wouldn't be concerned - and I would work hard to not let him become defeated about school, either! Let him know that not all school is set up for everyone to excel in, and he will hit his stride when it's the right time. Just keep at it, and don't worry about what the others in class are doing (especially the girls - 'cause school is made for girls and they are going to almost naturally do better at a younger age, just because school is better suited to them, mostly.)
Well, that was just about a short book! I hope it was helpful, and any of it that's not helpful, feel free to delete!"
So, what do YOU think? Did I cover everything? Am I off the mark? What do you do to ensure your children get a great education?
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