{"id":3767,"date":"2020-05-30T21:18:38","date_gmt":"2020-05-31T01:18:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pilgriminstitute.org\/blog\/?p=3767"},"modified":"2023-09-29T14:29:42","modified_gmt":"2023-09-29T18:29:42","slug":"young-children-engaging-the-heart-through-learning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pilgriminstitute.org\/blog\/young-children-engaging-the-heart-through-learning\/","title":{"rendered":"Young Children \u2013 Engaging the Heart through Learning"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

by Jeanette Whittaker<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Is\nthere a curious, adventurous, eager, energetic, early-elementary youngster in\nyour home, family, or classroom? Whether you\u2019re the parent, educator, grandparent,\nmentor, family member, or friend, you have the opportunity to influence this\nchild in a manner that could be significant for years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do\nyou wish to educate in a method and philosophy that will continue to influence\nthe student\u2019s life after they have left your home or classroom? If so, it is\nhelpful to realize that your goal is not just to educate the mind. Your\nteaching must reach the heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At\nevery point in the process, be intentional about cultivating in the student an\ninterest for the subject you are teaching. Ask yourself, \u201cHow does my teaching inspire my student to be interested in learning\nmore?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\nmay be helpful to begin with a subject that already interests your student.\nLook for ways to cultivate this natural interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are\nthey curious to know why things happen as they do? Science is a great way to\nfocus their curiosity. Help them to continue asking questions and discovering the\nanswers. Perhaps a book of science\nexperiments<\/em> would serve to lead the student from natural curiosity to the\njoy of learning more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are\nthey logical and methodical in their thinking? Mathematics is rich with\nopportunities to master the art of computation in a manner that builds mastery.\nLearning math facts by rote drill and memorization, without understanding the\nprinciples of mathematics, will stifle the student\u2019s interest. \u201cThis condition can be corrected by teaching\narithmetic from the Principle Approach\u2026\u201d<\/em> (Mr. James Kilkenny, \u201cTeaching\nArithmetic from the Principle Approach\u201d in A Guide to American Christian\nEducation<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps they are captivated by people and places. History<\/a>, geography, and literature, if presented well, will deepen their interests and expand their thinking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Review<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The early elementary years are foundational for unlocking the excitement for learning and the capacity to express ideas. Children advance in their skills through practicing phonics (both reading and spelling) and sharpening their communication skills (grammar and writing). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Physical activity is, of course, important\nfor all of us. Additionally, young children can begin to appreciate the fine\narts. So, be sure to make room for these activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you make educational plans for the\nchild(ren) you influence, you have much to consider. How will you encourage the\nstudent to pursue their God-given abilities? How will you cultivate their\nnatural interests and encourage further discovery and learning? How will you\ninterest them in the disciplines that do not come easily?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Most\nof all, how will you engage their heart through learning?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It is important to recognize how each\nacademic discipline is an outworking of the nature and character of God. After\nall, God Himself is the origin of our universe, the Creator who designed in\nperfect detail every aspect of our lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If we choose to pursue learning in a manner\nthat invites children to learn about both the Creator and the creation, we can\nbe confident that their hearts will be inspired and their minds enlightened.\nAre you ready for that journey? It has incredible opportunities for you and\nthose you teach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Resources to help you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Early Learning – Kindergarten<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teaching and Learning in the\nPrimary Grades with the Principle Approach<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If we choose to pursue learning in a manner that invites children to learn about both the Creator and the creation, we can be confident that their hearts will be inspired and their minds enlightened. Are you ready for that journey? It has incredible opportunities for you and those you teach.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3767","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-americas-christian-history"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pilgriminstitute.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3767","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pilgriminstitute.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pilgriminstitute.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pilgriminstitute.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pilgriminstitute.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3767"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/pilgriminstitute.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3767\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pilgriminstitute.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3767"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pilgriminstitute.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3767"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pilgriminstitute.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3767"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}