Tag: spirituality
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Freewill and the Education of Our Youth
Do we have freewill? And, what does this question have to do with how we raise our youth? Many, especially in the West, assert that we have freewill, absolutely. Indeed, this is for what so many battles have been fought starting with the American Revolution. Others, especially in the East, would perhaps deny freewill, saying…
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Creating the Optimal Homeschool Learning Environment
In this post, we discuss creating the optimal homeschool learning environment. When you homeschool, your home is the classroom and you and/or your spouse are the teachers. That might sound obvious, but if you’ve never taught in a classroom, it might not be clear what exactly that means. Even if you have, certain things bear…
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The Spiritual Guidance of Youth
Today’s youth are getting wrong messages about what it means to be free. These erroneous ideas spread on social media faster than a brush fire in Colorado. They convey ideas like, “Freedom is having unlimited choices and experiences… Happiness comes from getting everything you want… Change your appearance, change your life,” etc. These messages lead…
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The Role of Pain in Transformation
It may sound strange for a homeschooling blog to write about the role of pain in transformation. However, one of our students brought this question up recently in our Teen Empowerment Class. It is, therefore, relevant to our students as well as their parents. We ought therefore to inquire into our relationship with this troublesome…
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Parent Self-Care
Life is work. Parenting is hard work. Homeschooling is even harder work. It’s an enormously rewarding path that is worth the effort. However, even the best endeavors require parent self-care so we can keep up the good work. While many articles on parent self-care advise you go to the spa, get a massage, or take…
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What is a Human Being?
What is a human being? This question has occupied philosophers, scientists, and religious seekers for millennia. It is the core essence of our seeking as people. Every single student I’ve worked with has wanted me to tell them what I see in them. It’s fascinating. Underneath every human desire is the wish to know, “What…
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AI and Critical Thinking in Education
Listen to this post: How do we conceive of AI and critical thinking in education? Increasingly, schools are importing the new technology to help reduce teacher burnout and tailor lessons to individual student needs. According to School AI1, 37% of teachers are now using AI to create lessons, reducing their workload. As a Waldorf teacher,…
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How to Talk to Our Children about AI
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is taking the world by storm. Many predict it will change human life as much as the Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions. Today’s youth are using it like wildfire. Just think of the temptations. They’re not only using it to do their homework, but they are asking it life advice and even in…
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Growth Mindset in the Ancient World
Growth mindset was known long before renowned researcher Carol Dweck elaborated it around 2006. 2500 years ago, Pythagoras was testing to see whether potential initiates for his mystery school had it. Entry into the prestigious Academy was a high honor for the ancient Greek. If admitted, he or she (yes, they admitted women which was…
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Don’t Praise Your Children
Don’t praise your children. Well, don’t praise your children for what they are but for what they do. So many of us trap ourselves in the habit of telling our children, “You’re so smart. You’re so good at this and that, etc.” Research and experience, however, show this is the wrong way to praise our…