Tyler Homeschool

I’ve noticed some of the new children’s Bibles have left out the story of the cross and Jesus’ death. They have Jesus’ birth and life in it. They talk about His miracles and then Him being lifted by the clouds. When I was reading this to my son I just told him the story of the Cross and picked out another children’s Bible which also was lacking the story of the cross. This has really upset me. Why are they leaving out the cross and the reason Jesus came? If the book only told one Bible story I think it would be the story of the cross because that’s the climax of the Bible. Most all of the other Bible stories are leading up to or refer back to the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection. The story of the cross tells us that Jesus paid the penalty for our sins and it leads us to salvation. What if children grow up not knowing that they are in need of a Savior?

I’m not sure why the cross has been taken out of children’s Bibles. Maybe the authors found it too violent. So how are children going to give their lives to Christ? Are they going to read that Joseph got a colorful coat then realize that they are living in sin and need Christ? My son needs to hear about Jesus’ death. The only way to salvation is through Jesus Christ.

Beginning of 2011 I have started reading the Bible to my son more regularly. At first I wasn’t for sure how he will sit still and listen. He is 2 and a half years old and hyper. It has been a challenge and I’m not sure how much he understands. He has to sit down with me while I’m reading (no toys). I usually can only get through one chapter then do a minute or two of discussion with him. I’d rather read the whole truth to him and he not understand half of it than to tell him half of the truth and him understand all of it and be stimulated by pictures.

I believe that the right way to raise a child is to have Christ as the focus. Much secular literature on raising children is child focused and some is very parent focused. Both children focused and parent focused are dangerous and lead to division in the family. If I’m putting my child first, he will grow up thinking the world revolves around him and become selfish. If I’m putting myself and my husband first then the child could be neglected or my control will not show humbleness or that I need a Savior. Christ needs to be my center in all that I do. His sacrifice on the cross must be what I turn to daily. I should teach Christ to my children and focus on Him. No one is a perfect parent and no child is perfect. We need a Savior. We need the cross.

Why Spank Your Child? Parents should spank their children because God commands us to. Proverbs 13:24 says “He who withholds his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him diligently.” I am also preaching to myself when I say that spanking is the most loving discipline. I struggle with the temptation of not spanking my son. He is so cute, I’ll give him a warning, he didn’t mean to disobey are some things I might tell myself. My mind has been tricked into thinking that love feels good. It doesn’t feel good to spank my son at all. It doesn’t feel like love but it is. The Bible says to spank not to sit the child in time out. At the same time be sure not to spank while there is anger in your heart. If this ever happens be sure to ask for forgiveness from your child. Even though spanking doesn’t bring immediate joy know that it is first for the child’s character and second it is for the child’s safety; and eventually your consistent disciplining will bring more comfort. Proverbs 29:17 says “Correct your son and he will give you comfort; He will also delight your soul.” I have a tendency to give too many warnings which according to the Bible is not what I should be doing. Proverbs 23:13 says “Do not hold back discipline from the child, Although you strike him with a rod, he will not die.” I need to remember when my child disobeys he needs to be disciplined and I should not hold back because of thinking of the little sting he will have on his butt.

Proverbs 22:15 says “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of discipline will remove it far from him.” For some reason many parents think that their child is just naturally good but really they have a foolish sin nature as with everyone. A child needs to be instructed to obey and if a child disobeys and there is no consequence then are we really teaching him to obey? No, on the contrary that is teaching him to disobey.  Proverbs 10:13 tells us that a rod is for the backside of those who lack understanding. So when I tell my son not to do something and he does it, even if he doesn’t understand why, I should spank him. How else will my son understand right from wrong? Proverbs 29:15 says “The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.”

How and why do you discipline your child? Do you spank your child when he disobeys?

Children can learn very effectively through play. Playing helps build a childs imagination as well as concrete knowledge and reasoning abilities. A healthy child will have free time for unstructured play according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

A few ways to have unstructured play would be:

-coloring or painting on blank pages as opposed to coloring pages

-exploring outside

-hide and seek

-building blocks or playing with toys that have no instructions

-playing in the dirt/sandbox

-playing in water/pool

-playing with play doh or clay

All of these will strengthen your childs imagination and thinking abilities. Let your child learn to think for herself through playing without having a set structure. She can learn math through playing with blocks without having the pressure of taking a test. Two small blocks equal one medium size block , two medium blocks equal a long block or a square block, so four small blocks fit on a long block or a square block. your child will start to reason mathmatically much quicker through playing like this than prematurely being forced into schooling when she is not ready. Even when your child does start classes she will need lots of unstructured play time. For example get a scrabble game and use the pieces for your child to create words and sentences. Staple a few blank pages together and let her make a story book. Even if she can’t write letters yet, she can draw pictures and tell a story through pictures.

Have a play date with another child around the same age. Parallel play will help build your child’s social skills, which is important no matter what age your child is. If you homeschool your children, try to make plans for them to have parallel play with other kids after class. Playing with other children helps your child with communication skills as well as creativity skills. Let them have some unstructured play time together. Let them make up their own games. Role play is very important whether it’s playing house, cowboys and indians, or whatever they think of. The key words are “whatever they think of”. It’s not that you shouldn’t be involved in your kids life but that sometimes you need to let them figure things out on their own. Think of yourself more as a referee than the coach. Make sure your child and his friend aren’t hurting each other and are behaving (staying in your boundaries of set rules) but don’t give them a play by play of how they should play with their friend.

If your child has unstructured play everyday he will learn to reason and grow emotionally and mentally. You don’t need a preschool textbook for your child to start learing. At preschool age unstructured play time is the greatest way your child will learn. Encourage creativity in your child through playtime.

Can you think of any unstructured play ideas? Pleases feel free to comment.

Education is “The bringing up, as of a child; instruction; formation of manners.”

Ephesians 6:4 “Fathers do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”

“Education comprehends all that series of instruction and discipline which is intended to enlighten the understanding, correct the temper, and form the manners and habits of youth, and fit them for usefulness in their future stations.”

Ephesians 1:18 “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you…”

“To give children a good education in manners, arts, and science is important; to give them a religious education is indispensable; and an immense responsibility rests on parents and guardians who neglect these duties.”

Deuteronomy 4:9 “Only be careful and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.”

“The Principle Approach is America’s Historic Christian Method of Biblical reasoning which makes the truths of God’s Word the basis of every subject in the school curriculum.” –Teaching and Learning America’s Christian History p. 88