For some time now I've realized that Steele does much better with structured activity incorporated into his day. I don't think he's unique among children in this aspect - I think most, if not all, children (and grown-ups) thrive with at least a little bit of structure in their lives. Eating, sleeping, recreating, learning, exercising - whatever it may be.
My little Steelio is an energetic, curious, funny and exuberant (almost) three year old. With and without direction he often lacks impulse control and logical thinking skills. Sometimes it's outright disobedience and often it is pure curiosity - think "cause and effect" here. Left to his own for hours or even minutes on end - he could get himself into a fair amount of mischief. Coupled with these traits, Steele also loves to learn. He can focus for surprisingly long amounts of time on books, puzzles, flash cards, etc. - even without me by his side. I've observed that he learns well by simply hearing information and seeing it on a page.
As I've mentioned before - it is a challenge for Steele to be kind to Adia. He does not naturally nurture and care for his sister. I have had to teach him how to do this. I'll go into this subject more later - but recently after checking out some manners books from the library and reading them to Steele he was all of a sudden asking me sweetly for things, apologizing to me (ie. "I'm sorry I yelled at you Mama.") and being more kind to his sister. After reading him stories out of a book! Even though I had been verbally (and physically) training him on this subject for months! He picked up on it that quickly from one simple book. I am trying to convince myself, though, that the book clearly only cemented what I've been teaching him all along....
While I tend to agree with the "better late than early" philosophy of homeschooling, I also want to be logical in my approach to teaching Steele. Amy and I were having a conversation about this the other day and she made a great comment. I was saying how that if Steele really wants to be doing some structured school time and if it helps our day go better - then who am I to not take him up on it!? She totally agreed with me (usual for us - probably why we're such good friends) and said, "Yah! You totally have to ride that wave while it's there! You're not gonna tell your child he can't learn even if he really wants to just because he's not seven years old yet." Good point Amy.
So here I am. Steele wanting to do school. Me wanting to meet him there and realizing that our days (and his behavior) go much more smoothly with some sort of a plan. What do I do? Remember this post? Well, I'm eating my words just a little bit. And I can do that. I like to think of myself as an extremely humble person. (hee hee) ;-) I checked the book out at the library and have been perusing it today. I made a whole-hearted decision to not do exactly what it says or even read it all the way through - 'cause that's how I am. I'm taking the parts that fit me and I'm using them. The parts that say, "you need to make sure you're flexible", "don't turn your schedule into an idol", "be sure and make room for spontaneous God-ordained moments" - well, those don't apply to me. I have no problem with those things. Believe me. But some of the other parts are great. I do need them. And they've helped me organize my thoughts a little bit and that's cool.
So here's what I've got goin' on. I decided to do a flow chart/loose schedule for our days. Our family schedule is a little unique due to Justin's work schedule. He works (at the most) 9 24 hour shifts/month. Basically, 9 days a month. And he doesn't work regular days - it's never the same during any given week - which also makes formulating a plan a little more of a challenge. When he's home, especially in the summer, we like to be able to do things like pick up lunch and take it down to Boulevard Park and then go for a walk. Or walk over to the city park and stop at the Dutch Bakery on the way back. We almost always do our shopping together as a family and make a day of it. Trader Joe's, Costco, Costco dogs.... So I figure we'll do the schedule when we want to - especially when Justin's at work - and if we have other things to do we'll do those things instead.
Justin and I also really value the time that he and Steele get to spend together doing things. When Justin is home and it's nice outside there is no place Steele would rather be than outside working side by side with his papa. They do everything together - purposefully. When Justin is mowing the lawn or weed eating, Steele is on his back in the pack. If Justin is digging out flower beds for me - Steele has his little shovel right next to him. If Justin takes the car downtown to wash and vacuum it, Steele goes with him. If Justin is cutting wood for my raised vegetable garden.... Steele is sitting in the car with the radio on. He's scared of the table saw. But you get the idea. There is no amount of school that we would trade for these times that Steele is learning how to be a man and how to work hard. Any schedule we incorporate into our lives will have to support these types of values first and foremost.
So do you wanna see it? My flow chart? I think I'm happy with it. I might have to tweak it here and there but I think it will make our days "flow" much more nicely and will encourage peaceful, cheerful hearts and attitudes - for all of us ! We were already doing most of these things - this just streamlines it a bit more. I'm excited to get started on it.
6:30 wake | Cutzi (and/or Justin since he does much of this also) | Steele | Adia |
Bible/Prayer time | Mr. Rogers | sleep | |
Exercise/shower/computer | Sesame Street | sleep | |
8 ish | Breakfast | ||
Kitchen clean-up | Chores | free | |
| 1/2 hr | Circle Time | ||
| 1/2 hr | Pre-school w/ Steele | Pre-school | Alone w/ books in crib |
| 1/2 hr | Activity w/ Adia | Alone Activity | w/ mama |
snack | |||
Purposeful play together Or outside Time | |||
12:00 | Lunch | ||
1:00 | Read to Steele | Read w/ Mama | Nap |
| 1:30 | Jazzercise work/ Computer time | nap | |
Nap | |||
| 3:00 | Cleaning/chores/errands | w/ Mama | w/ Mama |
5 ish | Dinner (prep/eat/clean-up) | Helping | helping |
Family Devotion/ Read aloud w/ both | |||
7 ish | Bed | Bed | |
Date Nights When your kids go to bed early it's a date every night! |
I also want to make a note here about tv. For a long time we were a "no tv for kids" family. Steele wasn't really allowed to watch any tv until around age 2 - except a show here and there. Now, since he wakes up so early and has sincerely benefited (and enjoyed) Mr. Rogers and Sesame Street we let him watch those two in the mornings. I'm motivated, but not motivated enough to wake up at 5 am to start my day!
