Teaching our children

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6

This message is the first in a blog series focusing on American education. I want to make one point very clear from the beginning. I believe…

Parents, family, and caregivers are our children’s first and most important and impactful teachers.

I won’t dwell on the vital impact of parents and family on the growth, development, and learning of their children except to emphasize this point: When God blesses us with children, we are called to accept the responsibility to do our very best to guide these precious gifts to reach their fullest potential as a child of God and productive citizens.

The majority of us have some experience with our educational system. We likely attended school, were taught by a variety of teachers, and probably have strong opinions about the education process. Some of us may have enrolled in private schools or were homeschooled. Regardless of the type of school you attended, I expect you still have strong opinions about our educational system. I look forward to your comments and thoughts during this series. A focus on such a potentially controversial topic as our educational system can initiate strong debate. I don’t mind if you disagree with my views; however, I do request that we all be polite and respectful in our comments.

I come from a long line of teachers. My great-grandmother began teaching in 1860.

Kate Dameron taught many years, both in private academies and rural public schools in Virginia and North Carolina. She left a legacy of letters, written to her children, which describe her love for her students and her chosen vocation of teaching. She also expresses concern about unmotivated students, lack of support from parents, and funding issues within the school system. Sounds a lot like some of the problems our educational system faces today, doesn’t it?

Kate Dameron’s six children were all teachers, one of whom was my grandmother. My mother carried on the tradition, as have I. I’m semi-retired after more than forty years of teaching, at all levels, from elementary through college. I’ve been blessed.

This blog series departs, in some ways, from my usual focus on faith and inspiration. However, if you are willing to stay with me through the series, I believe you will discover the connection between loving, trusting, and serving God and the education of our children.

For a moment, let me go back to my first statement, “Parents, family, and caregivers are our children’s first and most important and impactful teachers.” I believe this is obvious, but I will elaborate further just to offer additional evidence. Children begin to learn from their parents and their environment as soon as they are born. Parents and caregivers guide all early learning opportunities for their children, setting the stage for how well children are prepared once they begin school. How engaged a child is in school and their attitude toward this experience greatly depends on parental support (i.e. supporting regular attendance, supervising homework, assuring adequate nutrition and sleep to support learning, attending parent/teacher conferences, encouraging their child to participate fully in the educational process, etc.)

Now to move on to another important premise of today’s message…

We are all our children’s teachers!

How can this be?

Children learn from every interaction they have with us. Even if you do not have children or if your children are grown, you still influence the growth, development, and learning of our children. Again, you probably ask, HOW?

• Whenever you are around other people, your actions influence them–this includes family interactions, church, or any time you are in a public place. Do your actions always demonstrate behavior that will be a good influence on a child that may be watching you?
• Do you behave with honesty and integrity in all circumstances?
• Are you a good role model, exhibiting kindness, patience, and compassion, even in frustrating situations?
• When the opportunity arises, do you take time to answer children’s questions or respond to their concerns?
• Do you demonstrate the attitude of Jesus when interacting with children?
• Do you pray for our children, even if they are not your family?

Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there. Matthew 19:13-15

And the most important aspect of today’s message?

I pray we can all love our children as Jesus loves them. Will you join me in prayer for all our children, especially those attending school?

I hope you have the opportunity this week to be a positive influence on one/some of our children. We each can make a difference.

Wishing you a blessed week.

Next week: Wisdom and Woes–a Look at our Public Schools