Fostering the Hate of Learning

You know, I’ve heard plenty of experts talk about fostering the LOVE of learning. But I have yet to listen to a single argument for fostering the HATE of learning…and yet, that’s what following the “system’s” approach to school will do for your children.

Take the topic of LITERATURE. In my thinking the “system” has fostered a HATE of literature.

In fact, I just looked up the word ‘literature’, and did you know the word ‘literally’ means “things made from letters”? That’s pretty broad and could include anything…made with letters. (duh?)

Here’s the deal with me and literature: It just seems like a dumb thing to teach when a better way is to just read it. I know certain, brainiac-people care about the meter, protagonist, and antagonist…but I don’t. It seems to me like it’s just a bunch of whooie for those who have nothing better to do… and it fosters a HATE of literature.

I just want my kids to read. Some of my kids like to read classics, others like history, and one likes bugs and science. I don’t care if they can attach labels to their sentence parts…in fact, sometimes all those labels can ruin the story, along with the love of reading. Plus…who CARES?!?!

So, my very simple thoughts on this over-complicated subject are: find the books your children enjoy reading and then…just let them read!

*Note – We also have a few children who don’t find enjoyment in reading, and that’s OK too. We still make them read but are not distraught if they don’t ‘love’ doing so. We let them LOVE other things.

So, if you’re fostering a HATE of literature and learning…STOP IT!

Make sure you smile,

PS – Need a great list of books for your children? Check out Jan Bloom’s book Who should We Then Read?