From "The Libertarian Homeschooler"

[KBCraig]

http://www.facebook.com/TheLibertarianHomeschooler/posts/10151927215479424

Or, for those of you who don't fedbook, the entire quote:

The best way to teach a child, I think, isn't to teach at all. The best way to encourage your child to learn is to be constantly learning. Are you learning skills and knowledge in front of them all of the time? Are you grappling with a new language? A new sport? A new piece of music? Do they see you reading difficult things? Do they see you struggling to understand stuff? Are they watching you try to get a business off the ground? Do they see you picking up books on things you don't understand at all? Do they see you rewinding the lecture again and again and again until you get it? Do they see you taking notes? Are they watching you practice over and over? Do they see you writing? And rewriting and rewriting again? Do they see you doing math? Are you engaging people in the field you're interested in? Are you taking them to lectures and talks and seminars? Do things like this. Show them what it looks like to live your life fully engaged.

What you're saying when you do this is, This is how we construct ourselves. Do you see that I am still constructing myself? You will construct yourself, too. I will help you but you'll do it on your own soon. It's work. This is what we do.

If you aren't doing this, if you aren't setting the example, begin now. Begin small. Don't overwhelm yourself. But do it. Show your child how to create herself.



Or, as I commented when I shared this on fedbook:

My father was a great example of this. Everyone assumed he was a college graduate because he knew so much about so many things, but he never attended a class beyond high school.

No matter the topic (gardening, carpentry, fine woodworking, photography, history, auto and small engine mechanics, blacksmithing, etc.), when someone asked, "How on earth did you learn that?", his answer was always the same: "I read a book about it."