Philosophy of Education

What I teach and why I teach it...

First Principle
Give milk until the student can handle meat.

When you have a two year old running around pretending he (or she for that matter) is a dog, or cat, or monkey, then reading Romans is not the way to go.  Short stories, games, and quick-to the point jingles will be far more effective than a sit-down, repeat-after-me lesson.  For those of you who have the toddlers and pre-school, great for you!  The materials on this site, however, are geared for teaching meat instead of the milk that is best for those students.  

If you have such young students, I recommend:

Special Note
I use the King James Version Bible because as far as I can discern, it is the only translation in English that has had so much time and care put into it.  When I questioned if what translation I used mattered, I found that it really, really matters.  Although it is not the original language, the KJV does not add, subtract, or try to alter the Word to mean something other than God's intent. 

To my disappointment, translations like The Living Translation have inserted commentary or interpretations as the words of God (compare the two versions of Revelations chapter 12 for an example).  To anyone new to the Word of God, such addition are indistinguishable from the actual words of God, which means that peoples' opinion about Scripture are being taken as fact.  God's Secretaries is a great piece of historical scholarship detailing why the KJV is more accurate than the other versions. 

1. Keeping your lessons short
   
2. Incorporating the lesson and the activity as the same thing
   
3. Have plenty of coloring sheets handy.  (Anyone who has worked with younger children understands that there are some days when you can accomplish nothing but coloring.)
   

Milk versus Meat?
Once a child has developed enough in concepts and understanding to begin to question and engage his/her environment, then it is time for meat.

When does this happen?  I believe each child is unique.  I have had six year olds who already know that they are lost.  I have also had a ten year old was still enjoying chasing butterflies!  Such is why I never judge maturity by age!


Second Principle
Treat the student as if he/she were one step better.

Children thrive on challenges.  Yes, they will complain, whimper, and pout.  But that does not mean that they are not already capable of greatness.

In my experiences, a child will rise to whatever expectation you set.  This is wonderful, and very dangerous.  If you assume that the child is worthless, dumb, or will never get it, then he/she will never amount to anything.  Conversely, if you assume that the child is perfect, brilliant, and never needs assistance, you will have an equally messed-up kid.

The safest approach I have found is to assume that your student is one step better than you think. The result?  The student will surprise you constantly by meeting your expectation.


Third Principle
Stick to the Word.

I want to inspire Godly children.  If I teach opinion or anything that is not backed by the Bible, then I am missing the point. 

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If you have any questions or concerns about my method of teaching, please let me know on my contact page!   

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