Lifelong Love of Learning

The kids did some fun projects today.  Emily has been asking  me to help her learn to make homemade granola for a week.  Today we had some time and she measured and stirred to her hearts content.  She loves to bake and said, "You should let me do EVERYTHING every time you bake something!!"

Nathan came to me this morning and asked me about "that kind of art where they make a picture out of dots."  I asked him if he knew what that kind of art was called.  He did not, so he did some research and found out that it is called pointalism.  He found an example of a famous painting done this way and the name of the painter.  Then he set out to create his own work of "pointalism" art using markers.  He found out just how time consuming it is.  His creation is just about done and looks really nice. 

 

I love to learn and hope that I can instill that same lifelong love of learning in my children.  I encourage them when I notice things that they are interested in.  We get books from the library, supplies from the craft store, or find mentors in our community to help them learn more.  We read together, and find answers to questions on the Internet together.  Most of the time, I do not know the answers to my children's questions off the top of my head, but I can help them find the answers. 

For the Strength of Youth reminds us of the importance of learning and education in our lives:

"The Lord wants you to educate your mind and improve your skills and abilities.  Education will help you to be an influence for good in the world."

I love the emphasis that this puts on seeking learning not only for our own benefit.  It reminds us that learning and education will make us more able to serve others and make this world a better place.