Learning Stages
We cannot artificially divide children into learning stages which correspond directly to a certain age, but I do believe that learning occurs in stages and that it is helpful for parents to focus on particular aspects of learning in each stage and to use certain methods at that time.
So, as we discuss learning stages, I want you to remember once again, the individuality of your child and the flexibility of the "ages" given. One child may take on characteristics of a learning stage well before the "age"; and visa versa.
You would note that I use the Classical Divisions of Stages. I do so, because in my understanding, any child's natural development is according to this structure. In fact, I believe that all of our learning occurs in this developmental way, from gaining information - to assimilating the information - to expressing the information. In a sense, I see the classical divisions as an umbrella under which one can apply a range of methods in each stage.
In each stage, I condense the skills into Areas of "Focus". This is a huge generalization - but yet can help the parent to keep in mind what we mainly need to focus on in the given age/stage.
Stages:
Preschool StageEarly Grammar StageUpper Grammar StageLogic StageRhetoric Stage
Preschool
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| Stage: Ages 0-5 |
Focus: Obedience, Character Development, Vocabulary Development |
Best Teaching Methods Training through parental modelling, Conversation, Talking with your child in the variety of household, gardening, shopping excursions. Household chore training Excursions Hands-on Teaching |
Real Life Learning Chores Successful Kids Chores E-book!-ideal for mums wanting to implement a chore system in their home! It also includes a fun and easy to use CHORE POCKET SYSTEM for under 10's.
Shopping Dressing Helping younger siblings Obedience without grumbling Natural learning opportunities in daily life and activities |
Links
Shirley's Preschool Activities
ABC Fun & 1-2-3 Preschool Curriculum
Teaching Tiny Tots is a parent's resource for toddler activities designed to engage your child and promote learning through playing.
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Articles Pre-school Ideas: Living alongside your pre-schoolers |
Early Grammar Stage
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| Stage: Ages 5-8 |
Focus: Character Development, Vocabulary Development Reading |
Best Teaching Methods Training through parental modelling, Conversation, Household chore training -Successful Kids Chores E-book! Formation of Habits, Hands-on-Learning Parent Reading aloud Short Lessons Outdoor play and walks Teaching of phonics Memorization of Bible verses, hymns, poems Copying letters, words, sentences Copywork of Bible Verses, and Poetry Oral Narrations from short passages to chapter narrations |
Real Life Learning Chores Shopping Dressing Helping younger siblings Obedience without grumbling Natural learning opportunities in daily life and activities Reading signs and labels Writing shopping lists Making Cards for family Memorizing and reciting Bible verses and passages Writing short letters |
Links Successful Kids Chores E-book! Training and Education of Children Under 9 |
Upper Grammar Stage
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| Stage: Ages 9-12 |
Focus: Character Development, Vocabulary Development Spelling Grammar Growing a knowledge base through reading across curricula Reading |
Best Teaching Methods Training through parental modelling, Conversation, Household chore training Parent reading aloud - across the curricula Assigned reading across the subject areas Oral Narrations moving to written narrations Learning Parts of Speech Diagramming Sentences Copying excellent literature - use as a base for modelling |
Real Life Learning Chores Shopping -finding specials Preparing Meals Helping younger siblings Natural learning opportunities in daily life and activities Small business opportunities Earning Pocket Money Building computer skills Adding a webpage or mini-site as an online journal |
Links
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Logic/Dialectic Stage
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| Stage: Ages 13-15 |
Focus: Growth in Understanding Making logical conclusions Transferring knowledge into real projects Learning Valid Reasoning Support arguments with logical and valid reasons Detecting Invalid reasoning Discerning Causes and effects Composition Learning to structure paragraphs and essays - topic sentences and supporting statements,facts, examples... Vocabulary Development Algebra and Geometry |
Best Teaching Methods Training through parental modelling, Conversation Discussions in logical reasoning Outlining paragraphs and essays - using it as a model Assigned reading across the subject areas Oral discussions on reading Written Narrations moving to essay formats Copy excellent literature - use as a base for modeling |
Real Life Learning Natural learning opportunities in daily life and activities
Discuss current affairs
Use advertisements, commercials, articles to expose invalid reasoning Cooking, Sewing Projects - woodwork, bicycle repair
Small business opportunities
Earning Pocket Money Building computer skills, Adding a webpage or mini-site as an online journal |
Links Build a Profitable Web Business Free E-Course: How to build a Profitable Web Business |
Rhetoric Stage
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| Stage: Ages 16-18+ |
Focus: Growth in Understanding Expressing what they have learned Transferring knowledge into real projects Practical application of their learning |
Best Teaching Methods Training through parental modelling, Conversation Discussions Speech writing and delivery Opportunities to develop own initiatives and follow personal talents and interests Written Expression - developing clarity and logic Copy excellent literature - use as a base for modeling Parental encouragement to show practical application of interests and learning |
Real Life Learning
Teen Entrepreneurs
Natural learning opportunities in daily life and activities
Practical application of learning
Culmination projects
Speeches; Research Essays
Cooking, Sewing, Projects
Small business opportunities - developing a business
Building computer skills, |
Links Build a Profitable Web Business Free E-Course: How to build a Profitable Web Business |
Interested in building a profitable Web Business on any topic you like?
Choose the learning style that suits you or your teen.
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