At the Knee

In education, like everything else, we need to be specific on what is taught to children. So much of formal education is just teaching children how to sit still, be polite, be quiet, etc. Rules and regulations are taught, and often religious beliefs, all under the guise of educating the child. For instance, in the US, children often learn the Pledge of Allegiance as the first thing! To truly have education stick, it is important to have the child work with what they have been taught right away. Learn and then do, and then it sticks and is not forgotten. During the Aftertime, when the adult may have little time to spare, children should be taught concepts as they share in the maintenance work on the survival systems.

• If the child helps repair the water wheels, they can learn at the knee of an adult how water wants to fall and how to utilize this. Concepts like the siphon can be explained and demonstrated.

• Mechanical concepts can be taught while the spinning wheel or door knob is being repaired.

• If one wanted to teach a child simple math, say the group has 100 people and there is a bushel of berries. To give all an equal amount, count the berries and divide.

• If a type of Internet is functioning, this will help encourage children to learn and use different languages.

In other words, as the children spread out and help with the chores, the adults can take time out to explain things to them as they go along. The child learns and while they do their chores.

Offered by Nancy.