Past Principal Points
How
Parents Can Help Children Learn—PT. 2
Time—Despite all the rhetoric of the
women’s liberation movement, that proclaimed that Quality Time was more important
than Quantity Time, the reality is that both are important. A “Quality Moment”
of five minutes a week simply will not cut it when it comes to raising
children. They need lots of attention every day. Obviously, this need decreases
with age, but it does not disappear. Parents need to be talking with their
children, asking them about school, helping them with their homework, etc. That
interaction is vital to student success in school. The research is clear that when parents take an interest in their children’s education,
and when they personally value education, children imbibe that value and apply
themselves more diligently to their studies.
Social—Who your friends play with
is critical, especially in the teenage years. The Scriptures are clear on this
point, “Do not be deceived, bad company corrupts good morals.” (1Cor.
Social 2—Children need to have
recreational activities. The very nature of that word indicates its purpose:
RE—CREATION. Sports, music, and other hobbies are good ways to become
re-energized and renewed. Learning is hard work, and too much of it can be crushing
to the spirit. Children need balance in
their lives as much as adults. On the other hand, some children are “social
butterflies” who have so many activities outside the home that they cannot
maintain good relations with their own family much less keep up their school
work. Parents need to monitor the number of
activities and the amount of time they consume and then set boundaries for
their children. Generally, one major sport is plenty for most kids. Trying to
juggle two can be pretty difficult. There are, however, exceptions. If they can
keep their marks up AND their attitudes around the house polite and
cooperative, then two sports or major activities might be OK. Every child is
different, but everyone needs parents who will monitor their involvements and
protect them from becoming overextended.
Spiritual—Children need to be
taught the Word of God not only in school and church, but most importantly in
the home. I am not speaking of Family Devotions so much as providing children with the opportunity to witness the Living
Word Made Flesh as moms and dads live out their commitment to Christ as
honestly and faithfully as they know how. I praise God that we don’t have to do
this perfectly. (Heavens knows my children can easily enumerate my faults, even
the ones that I don’t think I have!) However, if asked, your children should be
able to say without reservation that you love God and are trying to live for
Him in the very best way you can. It is not that parents won’t make mistakes,
but that they have set their hearts to follow God and are willing to admit
their faults, and learn from their mistakes when they happen. They need to be
faithful in church attendance and actively involved in serving their church
community. Our children will likely not go farther spiritually than we have
gone. If we are unwilling to sacrifice time and money for others, how can we
ask them to give unselfishly? A great deal of learning in school is dependent
upon the attitudes of the learner. Children who see
Christ-likeness modeled in the home are much more tenderhearted when it comes
to discipline at school. They are much more willing to apply themselves to their
studies because they know that all of life is to be centered around
Christ and all that we do should be done to His glory.
Principal,
Copyright © 2002/2003 Airdrie Koinonia Christian
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