I am not suggesting that these sorts of activities can entirely replace book learning. These life lessons can supplement and reinforce what your children are getting from class, adding more tangible value to the content they are getting from their books.

In the age of earbuds and wireless headsets, it is extremely common for teenagers to study while listening to music. "It helps me study better!" my kids will say. Can that be true?

In the world of Fahrenheit 451, the conflict and contradiction that necessarily comes when people freely debate ideas had generated so much social anxiety that people repudiated academic knowledge altogether, preferring instead the instant gratification of entertainment. In the beginning, there was no need to ban books; people simply turned their back on them.

One of my goals as a home educator is to create independent learners. I want my children to grow into adults who continue to grow in knowledge and have a joy for learning new things. In high school, I tend to give them a lot more independence while I can still guide them and help them take ownership of their education.

  UPDATE: This live, interactive course has concluded and is now available as a recorded, self-paced course through our Unlimited Access program. You can learn more here: Catholic Homeschooling. We invite you to call or email us if you have questions or need assistance: Homeschool Connections. “What can I do to help my child learn faster, really understand […]