It’s hard being little. I remember keenly wanting to fit in with all the older people around me. I was the youngest of six kids—and quite a bit younger, at that. The closest in age was four years older, and they went up from there [...]
by Kelli Poll It was the early 1960s. In Grosse Point, Michigan a bold experiment was carried out. Applicants were tested to find those who had intellectual and leadership potential. The parents whose children were turned away became bitter and resentful, while those of accepted [...]
by Shanalei Anderson For those of you who love and embrace the educational philosophy taught in Oliver DeMille's A Thomas Jefferson Education, here are some ideas for homeschooling children in the "Core Phase" (up to around age 8 or so)--the years in which children [...]
By Angela Baker Recently I was meeting with my children and outlining the structure of our summer schedule. My 12 year old daughter, our second child, was visibly disgruntled about something during our meeting. I met with her afterward and we had an enlightening heart-to-heart [...]
Rachel, I do have one little question, if you don't mind: which age of children do you spend the most time on/with (I know the balance thing—and I know what I do—but I want to hear from another mother with very special demands and a [...]
By Ana Veciana-Suarez Last fall was a first-of-its-kind season. For better or worse—I did not register my children in after-school activities. No swimming. No music lessons. No play dates. Nada. Once they finished their homework, they were free to do what they pleased, with a [...]
Yesterday I was having a nice little moment with my four-year-old, Abigail. I had a plate of raw vegetables I was noshing on, and she came to join me. I had to chuckle as she went straight for the cucumber. I've written elsewhere about how [...]
Do you have any thoughts on a structuring a Core Phase playgroup for homeschoolers? ~AH Hi, A----. This is such a great question! The families most inclined to be attracted to a playgroup are often particularly vulnerable to “conveyor belt hangover”; and while informal "play [...]
I'm just sitting here at my computer thinking how simple it is, sometimes, to get it right. As I sit here, my frothy little bubble of a three-year-old named Abi sits at a desk a few feet from me and sings to herself with her [...]
From the Desk of Rachel DeMille... The times, they are a-changin'. Ten years ago, most of our effort was spent helping parents to recapture their own Core and Love of Learning. Back then the Big Prize was Adult Scholar Phase, and everyone was talking about [...]
