True learning is something that’s happening all the time – not just between 8 am and 3 pm. It isn’t limited to formal academics either. Everything we engage with through the day is teaching us something. If we want our kids to absorb good, wholesome, worthwhile things instead of wasting a bunch of time on things that don’t matter (like excessive screen time), as moms we need to be thoughtful about this. We need to create an environment in our homes where our kids can absorb good-quality, engaging material throughout the day, regardless of what they’re doing.
You might be thinking, “That sounds great, but how do I do that?” It takes some intentionality, but there are some simple things you can do to create an atmosphere of learning in your home. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Display beautiful works of art. The environment around us makes a big impact on the way we think and behave. Think about how much better it feels to cook dinner in a clean kitchen versus one that is already messy and chaotic. Does anyone else have a hard time cooking in a messy kitchen or is it just me?
Well… our home environment affects our kids in the same way. In addition to maintaining a basic level of cleanliness and order (I’m not saying it needs to be perfect), displaying beautiful pieces of art teaches your kids to enjoy and appreciate beauty and artistic talent. This happens simply because they’re exposed to it everyday. Think broadly about the art category. This includes paintings, sketches, sculptures, pottery, etc.
Don’t feel like you have to spend a ton of money on this. A few decent-quality prints of beautiful paintings make a huge impact in your home. You can find them online through sites like Amazon or Etsy for a good price. Put them in an affordable frame and boom! – you’ve transformed your home into the sort of place where beautiful art is appreciated. Setting out pretty coffee table books with beautiful art prints in an accessible spot is a great idea too. If you’re a Christian, you could also include Biblical or faith-related art & decor in this category.
Play beautiful instrumental music or hymns in the background. Now, you don’t want this to be so loud that it distracts you – and everyone else in the house – from the things yall are supposed to be doing. I like to keep it just loud enough to hear it in the background. And personally, I can’t have it on when the kids and I are working on their school lessons. Or when I’m working on something business-related. It’s just too distracting.
But if I’m working on housework or catching up on other chores, I like to have some beautiful music playing in the background.
Plus, music has a way of affecting the atmosphere of a space. Have you ever noticed that? That’s why businesses play certain types of music in the background.
Think about the atmosphere you’re trying to cultivate in a given moment. Sometimes, it’s a calm environment. Other times, you need a more energetic atmosphere. (Tip: Next time you’re trying to get the house clean before guests arrive, put on some energetic classical music. It totally helps!) Regardless, try to match the music to the mood you want to create in your home. You can find playlists for all kinds of instrumental music on Youtube. Some of my favorites include Bluegrass, Celtic, French Cafe, and Jazz Cafe.
Beautiful instrumental music may also inspire kids (especially those who are already musically inclined) to want to learn to play a certain instrument or learn more about a particular genre of music.
Have good books displayed where they are easy to see and reach throughout your home. Charlotte Mason wrote that the mind is fed by ideas the way our physical bodies are fed by nourishing foods [1]. Having good books around that convey interesting or useful ideas (via both fiction and non-fiction) will show your children that learning and curiosity are valued in your home. If your family is Christian, you could include the Bible in this category.
Keeping books on bookshelves that your kids can reach on their own encourages them to be independent readers. Try to keep a variety of genres, such as fiction, non-fiction, biographies, diaries, etc. If you’re worried about cost, purchase used books or visit your local library.
Take note that as your kids get older, there will be books you’ll require them to read and you’ll want to discuss those with them to make sure they’re understanding it. But when your kids – regardless of age – are reading a book for free choice reading, don’t ruin it for them by turning it into an assignment or asking a ton of questions.
They will naturally want to discuss interesting things from the book with you. But if you start asking a bunch of questions and make it feel like they’re taking an exam, it can really kill their love of reading. They need to know it’s good to read books purely for the enjoyment of it. Not just because we have a quiz or assignment coming up and need to find the answers for it. The ‘read-for-the-test’ approach is common in the traditional classroom model. And most of those kids hate to read!
Have engaging discussions about interesting topics. You can get discussion ideas from books you’re reading, podcasts, current events, and more. Show your kids how fun it is to have lively conversations about interesting ideas. This also gives you an opportunity to show them how to have disagreements with others in a kind and respectful way. It shows them how to take turns during a conversation. And it develops their listening skills!
Once your kids reach middle school, you can also set this up in the form of debates. Pick a topic and ask them to draw from a hat on whether they have to defend – or argue against – a particular position. This forces them to analyze both sides of an argument. Afterward, talk to your kids about how even when we disagree with someone’s position on a topic, we need to understand their argument. This helps us keep our conversations respectful. It also helps us express our own views more clearly.
Model a love of learning for your kids. Finally, don’t forget to be an example of what it looks like to enjoy learning new things. If we want our children to be curious, independent thinkers who love to read and learn new things, we need to make sure we’re modeling those character traits for them. Let your kids see you reading great books. Invite them to listen to an interesting podcast with you and then discuss it together. Talk to them about new things you’re learning.
Remember, learning happens all the time, whether your kids are working on their formal academic lessons or having free time. Create a home atmosphere that fosters a love of learning new things. This helps your kids grow in curiosity, creativity, and overall knowledge. As moms, we can’t leave these things to chance. We need to intentionally create an environment that helps our kids love to learn new things.
[1] Mason, Charlotte. Home Education. 5th Ed. Living Book Press, 2017.