When Learning Isn't Easy

A reader brought up the subject of children who do not take to learning easy,

 and since I have had three of these, I thought perhaps this would be a worthy topic.

Not all children learn to read at age 5 and are doing multiplication tables at 8,

 this I know first hand. 

As a young homeschooling mama,
I was embarrassed when my child couldn't read like the other children of the same age.
 I felt pressure to get the child up to speed for what the government and my friends  expected.
This caused anxiety and impatience in our school.
The results were not very pretty.
Some of my ugliest days were homeschooling moments when overly frustrated with a slow learner.

Both child and mama were in tears, the morning ending with raised voices

 and a child sent off to "just be done then!"
These are very sad memories.
Days I wish I could wipe away from memory.

The Lord used this difficulty to sanctify me, thus producing patience that was sorely needed.
Remember, one does not develop good character through ease. 

 It is the bumps we grow on.

My husband calls it a "character building opportunity".

(smile)

The Lord uses difficulties to grow us up.
Indeed, I learned more through my child's inability to learn
than I ever would have if things were easy.

For one thing, I learned that one child's speed is not every child's speed or aptitude for learning.

  Some children just need more time.  

If that is the case, there are two options,
 neither of which will be a quick fix:  

 One would be to put the problem subject away for 6 months and then try again. 

 This would be my recommendation for a young student. 

Two of our boys did not read until they were nearing 10, even though phonics were began at 6. 

 Every fall we would begin again, just like the first time,

 and if, after a  few months, they were still struggling to sound out the alphabet,
 the phonics book was put away,

 and other subjects were read aloud for them. 

 They eventually did read, and read well, devouring book after book. 

 I just had to be patient and wait until that portion of their brain was ready and it all clicked.

  When our daughter could not do simple multiplication after her third year working the problems,

 we tried option #2;  we just kept doing it,

 in every possible way..  flashcards, drill sheets, audio, music and dancing, hand signs,
 rhyming, using rice and sand as manipulatives... you name it.

  Eventually, after much repetition of all of the above, the tables were mastered,

 but it was a long process.

When learning doesn't come easy, one of the most important things to do is 

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON. 

  Losing your temper, patience, and/or emotional sensibility is never productive or worth it. 

My deepest regret in life is that I did not learn this for many years.

But, praying for the wisdom to know whether to put the subject away for a time 

or try a different method, is worth while!  

Praying is  so important, 

and the Lord is so faithful to answer the broken pleas of a home schooling mama.

(read psalm 86) 

"If any man lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally,

 and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him."  James 1:5

"Trust in Him at all times, ye people, pour out your heart before him:  God is a refuge for us."

Psalm 62: 8

Learning will come, but likely not in our time frame.
Let go of expectations.
Speak words of affirmation and encouragement.
 Practice patience.
 Pray for wisdom.

Blessings to you in all your homeschooling efforts, 

Julianne