Homeschooling in the Winter, as God intended

by Andrea Hermitt | More from this Blogger

07 Feb 2007 10:51 AM

An article I just read entitled "Too Cold for School" got me thinking. The author complained that while it was "too cold for school" and schools were closed due to pressure from parents; it was apparently not too cold for the mall or the movies. The author felt that by demanding the closing the schools the parents sent their kids a message that said it is ok to make excuses for not doing what you need to do.

As recent as hundred and fifty years ago, children worked on farms with their parents in the spring and summer. When it was too hot, or too cold to be outside working, or playing, the children were inside with their parents learning their lessons. Yes, readin', writin' and 'rithmetic were done when the whether gave families no other options. Now the more educated children also did their lessons in the evenings by candlelight after the work of the day was done, but education was primarily saved for times when being outside was impossible. Instead of making excuses to not learn, families took advantage of times of inclement weather to concentrate on their education.

By following the lead of the weather, all life was in balance. There was a time for work, a time for play, a time for rest, and a time to learn. All of these times were cued by time of day and weather.

I wonder what that education would look like today in the absence of institutionalized education. I could imagine kids helping parents with their work from home businesses during the day, and spending the evenings (thanks to electricity) pouring over their lessons. I can envision rainy, snowy, or freezing days, giving children an excuse to snuggle up in a couch with a good book, since business would be slow on these days anyway. I can see the weekends spent reading and doing math. I can see children working individually near parents who are busy at their own work, and then parents reviewing the child's work at the end of the day.

Although modern technology and the move away from the family farm do not necessitate seasonal learning, I can see education following the ebb and flow of a normal workday or week. But wait... a lot of homeschoolers do work this way, don't they?

Read Students Should be in School Today, by Valorie Delp

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Andrea Hermitt is a native New Yorker currently residing in GA. She has been married for over 16 years and has two teenage children.

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Mary Ann Romans (26886) 07 Feb 2007 12:42 PM

Our school had a two hour delay today (the call woke me up at 6 AM!), and we spent that time reading, cooking in the kitchen (fractions) and building with legos. It made me realize that we would probably be pretty natural at homeschooling.

Karen Edmisten (310) 07 Feb 2007 02:10 PM

It sounds as if you would be, Mary Ann! :-)

It's funny you mention this today, Andrea. My kids were brushing their teeth in the dark today, and I asked what they were doing. They said, "Well, Laura would have been in the dark this morning!" (It's the birthday of Laura Ingalls Wilder, so she was on their minds.) I often think, too, that I would go to bed much earlier if I only lived a little more by natural light and rhythms. :-)