The Simplicity of a Living Education

If you know me at all, you know I’m a big fan of a “lifestyle of learning” where I think most learning can and should take place in the ebb and flow of life.  That doesn’t necessarily exclude a formal pattern of study; but it means for me, that learning can be going on all the time with a minimal amount of effort.

And usually, I believe, what is learned in those “teachable moments” sticks better than a regimented study.

So this quote from the book The Family really resonated with me:

“But home conversation needs more than love to give it its full influence.  It ought to be enriched by thought.  Every wise-hearted parent will seek to train his household to converse on subjects that will yield instruction or tend toward refinement.  The table affords an excellent opportunity for this kind of education.  Three times each day the family gathers there.  It is a place for cheerfulness….

Table-talk may be enriched, and at the same time the intelligence of all the members of a family may be advanced, by bringing out at least one new fact at each meal, to be added to the common fund of knowledge.   Let the father or the mother have some particular subject to introduce during the meal which will be both interesting and profitable to the younger members of the family.

It may be some historical incident, or some scientific fact, or the life of some distinguished man.  The subjects should not be above the capacity of the younger people for whose especial benefit it is introduced, nor should the conversation be overladen by attempting too much at one time.  One single fact clearly presented and firmly impressed is better than whole chapters of information poured out in a confused jargon on minds that cannot remember any part of it.

A little thought will show the rich outcome of a system like this if faithfully followed through a series of years.  If but one fact is presented at every meal there will be a thousand things taguht to the children in a year.  If subjects are wisely chosen the fund of knowlede communicatd this way will be of no inconsiderable value.

A whole system of education lies in this suggestion, for besides the communication of important knowledge, the habit of mental activity is stimulated, interest is awakened in lines of study and research which afterward may be followed out, taste are improved, whilst the whole effect upon the family life is elevating and refilling.”  (Emphasis mine)        -J.R. Miller

Related posts:

1. Comments Wanted: The Absence of Practial Education
2. Missing: A Real Education
3. Homeschooling Myth Busters–Only One Way to Learn–Part 6
4. Homeschooling Myth Busters–Part 1
5. Homeschooling: “Only the Experts are Qualified”?