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The Girl Learns to Program
September 9, 2011
I could tell you all about the curriculum additions (cha-ching, cha-ching) we're making for Celine's education and how I'm struggling just to keep up with the pace she needs. (PS. I will tell you all about it later this month).
I could tell you how over-the-top blessed I feel that Damien is home with us everyday and is making time to teach Celine computer programming.
I could tell you how computer programming beautifully incorporates and encourages Celine's love of logic, language and her innate attention to detail.
I could tell you that Celine and Damien have a very close relationship and when they do activities together they share a special bond.
I could tell you that Damien has wanted, for years, to teach a bit of what he does professionally to his children. To let them into the world he knows and understands, to share it with them.
I could tell you a teensy, teeny oh, never mind, I know nothing about programming, but you can read all about it here if you really want to know.
I could tell you all of this, and more (you know me, always more), or I could just show you this photo and you'd know.
You'd know how I feel in my heart about the girl learning to program.
Because it's not just the thing we're learning (that skill or those facts) but the how and why and the way we connect while doing it.
This my friends is homeschooling and moments like these are the beat of my heart.
PS. That photo is honest to goodness true blue, like their shirts. I couldn't have staged that if I wanted to.
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Jennifer @ kidoing! on Sept. 9, 2011, 12:24 p.m.
The essence of homeschooling that we want for our family, too. Learning, connection, excitement...thanks for sharing.
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Two Chicks and a Hen on Sept. 9, 2011, 1:14 p.m.
Oh how this warms my heart. This is one of the major reasons I wanted to homeschool (it's not feasible at this point in time.) There is meaningful on so many levels--the programming is really just a small part of it. Nice job, mama and papa.
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Two Chicks and a Hen on Sept. 9, 2011, 1:15 p.m.
And by that I meant "THIS is meaningful," not "there."
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Jill Foley on Sept. 9, 2011, 1:57 p.m.
I so desperately need a connecting moment like this with my oldest. It seems like the only connecting we do is full of tension. I was ready to throw in the towel yesterday and give up my dream of homeschooling. With her personality and her age, we are at a tough spot.
We're going camping for 3 days and will hopefully connect in a less stressful setting.
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renee on Sept. 9, 2011, 2:10 p.m.
Don't give up hon. If necessary, give it all a rest - your plans, curriculum, etc... but don't give up. Do field trips, nature walks, read stories they want to read, let them play and do something that feeds your spirit as mother and wife. I have many times said, "this isn't working, let's try something else" and then thrown in the towel so to speak on what I was doing instead of the whole idea all together. Homeschooling is so much a team effort. It's about learning together and if something isn't working for you family then don't do it. Blah, blah.... Have a fun camping trip!
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Kika on Sept. 11, 2011, 10:10 p.m.
Jill, I agree with Renee that if you are feeling like you need to connect with your daughter, you should consider pushing all your plans to the side for a bit and just have fun with your girls. One of the best ways I knew to do this when my older kids were little was to just cuddle and read aloud together but because you love the outdoors you may have other favorite ways. I think that the best laid plans are worth virtually nil if we aren't connecting and enjoying eachother. Usually, these 'moments' of struggle are short-lived and then we move on.
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kyndale on Sept. 9, 2011, 11:05 p.m.
I think it might be even more rewarding to watch my children learn something that I've always wanted to learn to do. It fills me up! I see for you too.
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Naomi on Sept. 9, 2011, 11:19 p.m.
So wonderful! "the how, the why, the way we connect" those things are incredibly important, and are a big part of the reason why homeschooling works! I can't imagine sacrificing moments like these to be in the "status quo".
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Catherine Forest on Sept. 10, 2011, 12:32 a.m.
Beautiful, just beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
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Rich on Sept. 10, 2011, 1:46 a.m.
Awesome Celine!! A geekette in the making love it
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Cheryl on Sept. 10, 2011, 2:13 a.m.
Your lovely photo, Renee, showcases what so many of us home educators know: it's all about home and almost nothing about school.
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Kika on Sept. 10, 2011, 3:13 a.m.
Nice.
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Joan on Sept. 10, 2011, 1:16 p.m.
That the beauty of homeschooling, thanks for this wonderful post. That why I love homeschooling.
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Patrick McElwee on Sept. 12, 2011, 2:28 p.m.
This is great! I've got two under three and I can't wait to do this kind of thing with them. I have long believed that many school subjects that are considered tedious and difficult - like calculus or programming - only seem that way because they are taught in the most uninteresting way possible. The image above says it all about how rewarding the experience is for your daughter.
Plus, that book looks like a fabulous introduction to Python. Thanks for sharing the link!
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Matthew on Sept. 9, 2011, 11:39 a.m.
Is she working through the link that you provided? (Learn Python the Hard Way) If so, I started working though that last night! :) I downloaded it sometime last year and never really got started. One of my art teachers at college has been talking about how much he likes Python so I decided last night to give it a try. I've never really programmed before, though I've looked into it a few times.
Sorry for the rambling, just excited that we're working "together" through something. That's very awesome that Damien is able to work with Celine on this, that they can share a passion. Congratulations to both of them! (Also congrats to you and Damien for creating a life where this is possible.)
renee on Sept. 9, 2011, 12:06 p.m.
Yes, Matthew that is what they are using. Too funny that you are doing the same. Very cool.