by Mimi Rothschild, Founder of Learning By Grace, Inc. the nation’s leading provider of online PreK-12 online Christian educational programs for homeschoolers.

Objective observation of children at play is highly rewarding. To those who have never watched children at play, the first observation may be a startling experience. Though there are exceptions, most two or three year old children, free to choose their own activities, usually do so without fear. Their need for supervision is obvious. Yet the experienced homeschooling parent does not guide their boundless energy with endless “do’s” and “don’ts”. Instead, she proactively provides opportunities to explore and investigate. She encourages the homeschool children to try out materials and equipment, to do what is safe at the same time she leaves them free to venture and to experiment with what she has made available.

It is helpful to study the equipment provided by those who know and understand the physical needs of children. Note the large but lightweight box, but push and pull toys, the big boxes that can be climbed into, that can be filled up, emptied out, pushed over on their sides, all through the use of the larger muscles. Note, too, how careful the homeschool parent is not to cause fear or uncertainty in the venturesome child who is about to scramble up the jungle gym for the first time. She noticed that children are often better judges of what they can do that are anxious adults. She does not continually warn “Look out, you’ll fall”! That is a frightening thought to implant in the mind of the little adventurer. Instead, she said, “go slowly”, “Hold tight.” With these encouraging suggestions, a climber reaches the top successfully. He shouts in triumph, “See what I can do!”

Observation of older children is just as rewarding. The older child is greater skill in handling himself. There is evidence of purpose in every act, but he is more cautious in attempting what is new to him. Older children do not reveal their curiosity as frankly as little children do, nor do they call attention to their successes as openly. They are most humiliated by their failures, and often struggle with surprising determination to overcome physical difficulties.

Watch for signs of beginning cooperation in little children. Notice, to have the understanding leader of older children forestalls difficulties through sick gestures for cooperative action. She notices, for example, that France is an undertaking to move the bookcase away from the wall and that it is too much for her. Before temper blazes, or discouragement stopped efforts, both homeschooling parent suggests to Edith, “Francis needs help”. “Will you see what you can do?” She turns her attention to a couple of juniors who are growing weary or bored and says that’s too something else to do. Perhaps you end Mali would like to help clean our supply closet or would you rather work on our castle?

No single trait is more essential for effective Christian living, and the ability to live and to work with others cooperatively.