Girls To Grow

The first portion of Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go….”

While I think there are several child-rearing applications we can draw from this verse, one of my favorites is thinking about how each child we have is different in temperament and personality. If you have more than one child, be they boys or girls, you would certainly agree that they can be as different as night and day.

Part of my job as a mom is to discover those differences and determine the best way to help each child develop into all that God would have him to be. It’s an ongoing process to encourage them in the areas that interest them and provide opportunities for them to develop whatever talents they may have.

Of course, there are certainly day-to-day differences as well. On school mornings, we have one daughter whose feet hit the floor as soon as her alarm clock goes off. She immediately starts making her bed and getting dressed for the day. The other daughter, however, only snuggles further under the covers and needs a little “coaxing” to get her day going!

I am hoping to continually improve in this area – recognizing each child as an individual and encouraging her in a way that “fits” with how they are made.

The original version of this post was published on February 18, 2009.

picture courtesy www.publicdomainpictures.net

During the school year, there is typically not enough time for my daughters to learn all they would like to about particular subjects, so we take advantage of the summer months to do a more indepth study.

Last year’s summer learning plan worked so well that I am looking forward to the new topics we’re covering this summer. We usually spend about an hour each morning working on that week’s theme, then fit the outing into our schedule on whichever day is most convenient.

Here’s how I’ve set it up.

Week 1 Theme – Weather
Books: Read about hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, etc.
Activity: View dvd on weather; make local weather charts; perform a brief weather forecast for the family.
Outing: Visit local park
Bible Memory Verse: Psalm 147:8

Week 2 Theme – Nutrition
Books: Read about health as it relates to your diet, vitamins and minerals, your body
Activity: Make healthy foods poster; have each child select a new vegetable from the farmers market to try.
Outing: Visit a local farm
Bible Memory Verse: Genesis 1:29

Week 3 Theme – Composers
Books: Biographies on composers
Activity: Listen to cd’s of composers being studied; look through our piano books and find a piece by one of the composers to play for the family.
Outing: Local concert
Bible Memory Verse: Psalm 144:9

Week 4 Theme – U.S. Presidents
Books: Biographies of U.S. Presidents
Activity: Have each child choose one of their favorite presidents and make a fact sheet about him.
Outing: Local museum and historic site
Bible Memory Verse: I Timothy 2:1,2

Week 5 Theme – South America
Books: Read about various countries in South America
Activity: Make a large map of South America including topography, major cities, etc.
Outing: Prepare a meal that would be typical in a South American country.
Bible Memory Verse: Revelation 15:4

Week 6 Theme – World War II
Books: World War II overview, battles
Activity: Draw map showing countries involved in war; mark locations of significant battles. Write a brief newspaper article reporting on one of the battles.
Outing: Local WWII historic site
Bible Memory Verse: Psalm 27:2

Week 7 Theme – Inventors
Books: Biographies on inventors
Activity: Make your own invention
Outing: Daily science experiments
Bible Memory Verse: Exodus 31:3

Week 8 Theme – Birds
Books: Field guides, art book on drawing birds
Activity: Create our own “field guide” of birds we see in our neighborhood or at a local park.
Outing: Visit local gardens
Bible Memory Verse: Matthew 6:26

There are more weeks in our summer, but with our vacation, a trip to visit family and Vacation Bible School in the mix, I’m only including eight weeks in my program.

Please note: I was an elementary school teacher for six years so putting together a program like this is something I enjoy! Spontaneity is also a good thing, and I’m certain there will be plenty of time in the pool, play dates with friends and purely fun activities to fill our summer as well!

Do you make plans for your summer or just enjoy the somewhat slower pace?

Find more ideas for entertaining your children this summer at Works for Me Wednesday hosted by We Are THAT Family.

While my daughters were at school yesterday morning, I found out something that I knew would be disappointing to my nine-year-old. It was a minor issue, but I felt she might need a bit of cheering up when she arrived home.

Thankfully I had a few small items hidden away for such an occasion. Rather than just giving her something, I decided that a treasure hunt was in order. I made up four clues, wrote them on 3×5 cards and placed them strategically around the house. I also attached a treat to each of the clue cards (i.e. a piece of gum, a new pen). The gift was in the final location.

It wasn’t a big deal, didn’t take a lot of time nor did it cost much money. In fact, I probably had as much fun putting it together as she did finding the prize.

We all have days when a dose of encouragement is needed. Often just a small thoughtfulness can brighten a family member’s day. I’m planning to have a designated place (out of view!) where I can keep little gifts to use – not only for my children, but for my husband as well!

Do you have a special way to encourage a loved one who’s had a rough day? I’d enjoy hearing about it!

Find more tips and helpful ideas at Works for Me Wednesday hosted by We Are THAT Family.

There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child. There are seven million. ~Walt Streightiff

The child must know that he is a miracle, that since the beginning of the world there hasn’t been, and until the end of the world there will not be, another child like him. ~Pablo Casals

There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One is roots; the other, wings. ~Hodding Carter

While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about. ~Angela Schwindt

~Scenes from our annual “Mother’s Day Eve” walk on the beach~