Recognizing the Learning Moment
Making the Most of Natural Learning Opportunities
Homeschooling offers unparalleled opportunities to capture learning moments and turn them into meaningful and enduring knowledge.
The secret to being a good home educator lies not so much in knowing what to teach, as in recognizing when a learning opportunity presents itself and then making the most of it. In the homeschool, few lessons will be as meaningful and memorable as those drawn from life itself, those “Ah- Ha!”, in-context “learning moments” that bring everything together.
Recognizing a Learning Moment
Learning moments occur in everyone’s life at various times, and frequently in children’s lives. The learning moment can be one of those effervescent occurrences like the moment a sunset is at its most beautiful, a piece of music is at its most moving, a work of art its most striking, or shared time with someone is at its most memorable. It’s one of those times that must be seized or lost forever.
Academically, the “learning moment” is that precise instant when an educational opportunity naturally presents itself – also known as “natural learning” – in an interesting manner and in context, so that knowledge can be built upon and expanded through conversation or more discovery.
“Natural learning is invigorating,” says author Ron Dultz, “because the learner feels a strong personal connection to what is being learned, is ripe for it and has selected it. Things that are learned naturally are overflowing with personal relevance and personal significance.” (from Educating the Entire Person, Dultz Publishing, 1993)
Child Led Discovery is Best
The trick of course, is capturing those learning moments. To children ensconced in the artificial environment of a public school, such moments may be few and far between and rarely caught when they occur.
In the home school, there are unparalleled opportunities to recognize and grab hold of these unique learning moments, and that can make the difference between grasping a concept forever or having to repeat it endlessly unless another fortuitous moment brings it home.
It’s usually better if we follow our children’s leads, when it comes to learning moments. Too often we’re busy and either don’t or can’t respond to a “Look at this!” from our children. But those moments are the best ones to capture.
The Learning Moment is a Balancing Act
Sometimes, the learning moment is a delicate balancing act. Calling the children out to see ants carrying aphids onto a tree is worth a try, for example, but it probably won’t be as successful a learning moment as a child finding the aphids and calling parents out to see.
Other times, a moment presents itself and for various reasons, there aren’t any children with whom to share it.
And sometimes, parents just plain get it wrong. The lesson parents see in the moment isn’t something that captures their children’s interest or understanding, or is inappropriate for their ages and intellects, and they have to let it go.
Grasping the Learning Moment
With practice, though, and if parents don’t get too caught up in “book learning,” they can learn to recognize those all important learning moments and run with them. Grasping a learning moment is a lot like running with a kite.
You run and pull the string and dodge about, trying to catch the right breeze, watching the kite bounce higher and higher until the wind catches it. Then the string goes whistling through your hands and the kite is lofted up into the sky and your heart just soars with the accomplishment and wonder of it all as your children “get it” and the light of new knowledge shines on them.
Catching a learning moment makes both your children’s and your own heart soar with understanding and delight. It’s worth the slight extra effort it takes to recognize such a moment and run with it. And best of all, the memory of flying the kite of knowledge and understanding high and free with your children will be with you a lifetime!
