Educating Sarah and Samuel: To Know God's World

As we observe Sarah's and Samuel's immense propensity to learn, I suddenly find myself returning to the planning room and thinking and reading about different ways to teach them about God's world. It's reminiscent of my lesson planning days as a teacher, only this time, the goals and motivation are so different. There are so many ways to introduce them to the world out there and in doing so, for them to appreciate the God who created all of it. Sarah's favorite mode of learning and I suspect is Samuel's too is experiential...and that comes best in the form of "holidays". They learn as they chase after armies of soldier crabs in Port Dickson, they learn as they "gawk" at swallows flying across their heads during breakfast and in the pool at Janda Baik, they learn as they shy away from the bleating goats in Janda Baik...they learn as they observe their green caterpillar becomes fatter and fatter and suddenly disappear, right in our corridor garden. Hahaha....While Sarah wants to go on a holiday every other day, it would be too disrupting a schedule to do so:)

So part of this year's learning for Sarah and Samuel, I will begin a unit study cum lapbook program for them, and I personalize it by calling it "Big Book Bonanza". Basically, it is introducing them to God's World through Good Books. Many of books I have chosen are award-winning children's books recommended by the following resources:

1.   Honey for a Child’s Heart by Gladys Hunt
2.   The Well Trained Mind by Jessie Wise, Susan Baeur
3.   http://simplycharlottemason.com/planning/eyguide/eyreadalouds/

As a start, I have selected Good Books based on the letters of the Alphabet. Through this selected book, topics and subjects that occur in this book would be picked up to catapult their learning and understanding about the world. For our letter A, which we will commence next week - we will be reading and exploring the book, "How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World". This is an engaging book where the girl goes all over the globe in search of authentic ingredients to make the American Apple Pie. It brings readers to France, to Sri Lanka, to Vermont etc. I am already looking forward to introducing the globe, atlas and some facts about the countries to Sarah. of course, we will also consider Apples - the life cycle, patterns, colors etc. There's so much to catapult to that I hope I don't get carried away. If my strength does not fail me, we will attempt to make an apple pie together. I stumbled upon this great resource http://almostlibrarianat.blogspot.com/ which gives a review of related books and it has helped greatly in expanding each field that I have selected to focus.

In the meantime this week, I am busy setting up our little catapult corner where I can display related books, objects, alphabets etc...and preparing activities for their Big Book Bonanza. I can't wait....

Educating Sarah and Samuel: To Know God's Word and to Know God's World

[This post is an accumulation of reading and reflection since last October, and the contents are a result of jottings in my notebook and typing on my Big Mac.]

Firstly, the written word, be it through books, internet, online blogs, journals etc have introduced me to the thoughts of many people - mothers, wives, educators, philosophers, and champions in their own fields. What a world of friends I have met in thought, in conviction and in the Lord. Some of them, are truly like clouds of witnesses who have gone the way ahead before and trudge those unchartered grounds to pave the way for people like me - who is only beginning to discover the expansive world out there. I gladly climb onto their shoulders and boast in nothing of myself - for they bring me to heights I would not have known and allow me to see the world that I would not have seen. This is a inheritance and legacy [through books] that I gladly obtain and willing call it my own.

Even in my desperate devouring of books, I find myself only but a few steps ahead of Sarah and Samuel. Because there is so much misconceptions and faulty assumptions and theological err or more aptly theological absence, in my heart and mind to demolish before rebuilding starts again.  But I guess, those few steps ahead is all but necessary to qualify me to teach and train them in the way of the Lord.  So from henceforth 10 Jan 2010 [100110], the demolishing and rebuilding continues in my mind and the building begins in Sarah and Samuel's mind.

When life and time permits, I pray that I would be able to chronicle this whole journey with plain honesty to God and man - categorized  as "Demolishing My Mind", "Rebuilding My Mind", "Rebuilding their Minds". And perhaps, just perhaps, these entries will serve to bring Sarah and Samuel to heights higher than where their mommy started, as they begin their own journey of learning, parenting and teaching their children, and maybe to you too.

I choose to anchor Sarah and Samuel's educational philosophy from a most unlikely passage of scripture about education but an often quoted scripture about the Christian life -


"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. ² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God". Romans 12:1-2. NKJV


12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:1-2 ESV


Our charge as parents is to present our children as holy dedication unto the Lord - and not just any dedication, but one that He accepts and can use. This reminds me of Hannah as she prepared young Samuel for the work in the temple. While only Christ and His precious blood can present us spiritually acceptable unto God, we as parents can direct and train our children's heart and mind and body and prepare them physically and mentally and socially for God's purpose in their lives .

How then do we prepare our children in heart, mind and body? By training them in God's Word and teaching them about God's World. This distinction picked up from "A Well Trained Mind" is simple and uncomplicated. I like it so much that I will adopt this division in the teaching schedule of Sarah and Samuel.
Firstly, teaching them God's Word will direct them to know their God, and we pray, that they would one day, know of their need of this God and give their lives to Him. Teaching them about God's word will keep them pure as God had originally intended in an unadulterated world. Teaching them about God's word will also help them to discern danger and evils in the world and even in the church.
Secondly, teaching them about God's World will expose, educate and equip them to hold God's banner high as the winds of the world blows relentlessly in their faces. And in holding fast and standing firm and advancing forward, they can bring glory to God in all they whatever do and in wherever they are.

Educational Philosophy: To Know God's Word and to Know God's World

History, Geography, Philosophy, Anthropology, Literature, Science, Maths and Art explored and studied with an open Bible puts all the world into God's perspective and rightly places man in subjection of his Creator God. What a firm footing one would have if one learns in this manner. History, Geography, Philosophy, Anthropology, Literature, Science, Maths and Art studied without the Bible only results in endless pursuit, profession, specialization, expertise, niche and academia [aren't these terms all so familiar in the education system that we grew up with] that really essentially exalts the creature above the creator. To that, man can find no satisfaction and no end because the end is but man, himself.

May the Lord give life, time, persistence, love and preservance as we embark on our own learning journey and training for Sarah and Samuel - to present them as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God.

Our December Holiday

Once again, Dan is always able to lead us to interesting spots for our holidays. And I am so very thankful to God for that. Due to a larger family, including Rubi my helper and budget constrains, we have kinda limited our hols to exploring Malaysia. So this time, it was off to Saufiville at Janda Baik. Here are some of my fave photos...

The morning light

Our picturesque surroundings

The infinity pool

The fishing pond of tilapias and patin fish

one of the many homegrown beauties

the goat farm

the lovely wife who owns the sprawling estate & who has impeccable taste to match

Friends

and family

little cherubic samuel and the very special daddy

Christmas is a Time...

This Christmas, I made deliberate efforts to start some "traditions" going in the family. As I thought about it, I realize that that there is nothing sacred in these traditions and I must not believe that they are anyway religious, lest they serve to bind and trap me in unnecessary laws that I have established for myself, albeit how good and true.

Perhaps, what I hope that these traditions seek to do is to create 'mental pegs' [a term borrowed from "The Well Trained Mind"] in the minds of Sarah and Samuel; that Christmas is a time of remembrance of all the love and grace that God demonstrates and has foreordained since the beginning of the world, fulfilled in the birth and incarnation of His Only Begotten son. And that through the many family traditions that we have started, Sarah and Samuel would return to the familial warmth of the home each December to begin their journey of thankfulness to God and reflection of the year past and for the year ahead in consecration to their God. Haha...my mind is already teeming with more traditions to add on to those we started this year:)

We headed down to Thomson to get our very own Christmas tree. By the time we headed down there in late Dec, most of the little trees were snapped up. I took a while before decided to pay for one blue spruce that promises to last for a couple of years. Well, we will wait and see if that promise comes true. A Christmas tree, some pots of poinsettia, and a pot of hydrangea, we were all ready to welcome our 2nd Christmas together as a family.

 

The kids woke up from their nap that day to help decorate the Christmas tree with deco from Daiso and many little toys from Changi Airport. It was careful fun as the leaves of the spruce was spiky. Sarah was really proud to have her very own Christmas tree. She also managed to help me with the presents by cutting and sticking scotch-tape onto it.

Although I am not a baker, I decided to do a seasonal bake. I have only attempted Chinese cuisine in the early days of my marriage but I have not picked up cooking since two years ago. But the dreamy thought of my children and husband rushing home because they longed to eat their mommy's favourite home baked cookies, over tea and a good book was enough impetus for me to venture into these new grounds. I wanted to bake yummy Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate Cookies, inspired by my favorite Crabtree and Evelyn flavours. Any seasoned baker would also detect that the ingredients used would more than make up for any lack of skills in any amateur baker. 3 pretty good attempts and still trying to get that perfect one. Perhaps 2010 will see more success:)

As part of their advent reading, I think I read the nativity story close to about 50 times this December because Sarah loves to hear me read about the shepherds watching the flocks by night and how the angels interrupted their shepherding work. Sarah can repeat the 1st sentence of what the angel say, "Don't be afraid". Then, she would go on in her own sentences. And just for Christmas, instead of falling asleep to the tune of 'Jesus Loves Me' , she opted for 'Away in a Manger'. That's her favorite tune for December. I remembered asking her one night, "Would you like to sleep in a manger? [or more accurately, a stable]" She replied, "No, it's very smelly." Haha...I am definitely looking forward to reading the nativity story from the Bible with Sarah and Samuel next year

We did some cutting and gluing one morning and I think we will pick up more of these in the new year to come.

Of course, as with any other seasons and Christmas, came family and feasting. It is always a great time to catch up with family again and exchange presents and sit around.

Part of what I hope Sarah and Samuel would learn - is to give to others who are less privileged. We combed our cupboards and found new boxes of toys. Happily, we headed down to the Boy's Brigade collection centers only to find out that they have closed for distribution. Unfazed, we drove to the nearest Salvation Army and Sarah and Samuel gave the toys to the person on duty that day. The look on their faces were prizeless and I just wasn't fast enough to catch in on camera. Sarah had hoped that she would see the children as I explained to her that she would be giving her toys to children who do not have as much as she has. As we left Salvation Army that day, Sarah words were, "Where are the children?"

As a tradition that began last year, we sat around and watched the Muppet's Christmas Carol. The language of Charles Dickens is exacting and beautiful and the music of the muppets is magical. I think the adults enjoyed it more than the tots. Well, it's a season for all:)

This year, the presents were mountainous, thanks to the presence of Christmas trees in my house and my in-laws house. It is so much fun buying gifts and heaping them below the tree. Of course, the kids had greater fun opening them and playing with their new toys.

There were much thoughts that I had regarding the incarnation of Jesus, who is God himself. And I hope to pen them down soon...

Have a Berry Berry Blessed Christmas Everyone

Reading and Reflection: Education

"The truly educated person has only many doors of interest opened. 

He knows that life will not be long enough to following everything through fully" 

"For the Children's Sake"
by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay

This description of a truly educated person is to me an enlightened but profound thesis about the definition of education - a definition that I have only been coming to terms with in recent times. The definition of true education is an intricate weave and tapestry: of seeking out the purpose of man but knowing the sovereignty of God; of hungrily imbibing all that God's world has to offer but being fully cognizant of the frailty of man and brevity of life; and enjoying the fullness and vastness of God's world and ultimately our creator God. Education does not cease with a degree, a masters or even a PHD but carries on through all of life, or however long our candle is allowed to glow. My own attempt at the definition of education: It is a sustained enquiry to all of life that is fired by a divinely inspired devotion to live one's life heartily to the Lord, for the purpose of bringing glory to Him. And True education always brings about change. 

And from the many late night conversations I have had with Daniel, I realize that he had understood these truths in his days of youth because God has revealed and taught him these truths. As I read through these pages, it is as if Dan's pleading to me are all put in print. I am humbled and blessed to know that I have many teachers with me - God, God's Word, His Spirit, Daniel and great books.

Beautiful & Lovely Things

For the past few nights, I have been dreaming and conceptualize a little corner of the nursery for the kids - Reading & Curiosity Corner. Decorating the walls with beautiful children's prints from http://www.etsy.com/shop/sarahjanestudios and ermm...I admit, I got a little carried away with the lovely armchairs. Well, my search stopped at this classic armchair made just for kids from one of my nursery inspiration websites - www.rosenberryrooms.com . Not just because it can only be found in the states, also because it costs a cool US$499 for one. Woohoot! Well, it's still nice to think of lovely things:)

Christmas Fun

We have been doing some 'advent' of sorts - reading the nativity story before bedtime, some Christmas crafts and playing and playing.

One morning, I picked up some felt and decided to cut into shapes for Sarah and Samuel to glue together. Of course, it became a sticky mess:)

For at least 3 days, we had to pop to Changi T3 for various reasons, but we were glad cos it was a playland for kids this Christmas. I think if given a choice, Sarah and Samuel would have stayed there the whole day.

Sarah standing in front of the big red ball that throws out gifts and sweets at intervals in the evening.

Hannah with the balls that she picked out at the redemption counter

Sarah having a whale of a time on the big snowy bouncy castle.

Sarah's 2nd Dental Visit

Inspired by Hannah's good dental visit, Mommy decided to fix one appointment for Sarah. The last visit being just a 'visit', this turned out to be a pretty fruitful one. Of course, Mommy was glad that the dental fees did not go to waste as Sarah sat obediently on the dentist chair and allowed Auntie Eloise to clean her teeth for a good 40 minutes. With her best friend Hannah rallying her along, Sarah is much comforted and actually looked forward to going to the dentist. That's what best friends are for:)

Updates...

Much has gone on in the past 2 weeks...

We had a great time celebrating Sarah and Samuel's Great Grandpa's Birthday. Tributes, Song, Prayers and Special Items filled that celebration. Sarah was very busy that night - playing and catching the balloons. I think she was at it for a good two hours.

It was off to a funfair the next morning, with Bozo the clown, Mark the Popcorn Popper and Sarah the fish catcher.

My niece, Isabelle or Belle Belle turned One! It was another birthday celebration with the family.