The Phases of Learning: Core

Part of what appealed to us when we decided to use the TJEd method for our home education, were the "Phases of Learning" that were presented.  The idea is that people naturally follow the same pattern of progression in how they learn.  It made sense to us, and as I listened and later read about the phases, I could clearly see how I naturally went through the first three phases myself.  They are: Core, Love of Learning, Scholar, Depth, Mission, and Impact.  Here's one sentence about each, and then I want to put down my thoughts on the Core phase.  Core phase is the part of life when a child learns about the most important, central values in life and embodies them.  Love of Learning phase is a time when a child becomes curious about everything, and desires to study a wide variety of academic subjects.  Scholar phase is a time when a change in maturity takes place; a youth in this phase begins to focus deeply on a few subjects of interest.  Depth phase is a time for an adult to take that study deeper to prepare for his life's mission.  Mission phase is what it sounds like: actually fulfilling that mission.  Impact phase is changing the world to be whatever it should be for your posterity. 

Core phase begins right at birth.  When I have a baby I don't worry about teaching him anything right off, but he is learning nevertheless.  From the first moment, he is learning about love and how his environment feels.  He's held, kissed, fed, cleaned, and made comfortable.  He quickly attaches to those who take care of him, and if his needs are being met, he feels safe.  He begins to smile and interact.  Before long, he learns essential skills like eating, walking, and talking.  As he grows, he learns how to relate to his parents, siblings, and others around him.  He learns that relationships are important, although he doesn't realize it consciously.  He internalizes the values that are taught in his home.  If his parents pray, he believes in God.  He tests cause and effect, "What will happen if I jump off the table?"  He learns about right and wrong, good and bad.  He experiments with adult roles through play.  This is the time where he is developing his core.  

Our core is what defines who we are and what we will be.  From Leadership Education, "Core Phase is the basis of an education.  It is the basis of a family, and its generations.  It is, in short, the foundation of a person-who he or she is and what he or she can and will become.  During Core Phase, we lay the foundation for all learning and service in the child's life." 

If I were to ask myself what the most important things for me to teach my children are, my answers might be something like, "To understand our Heavenly Father's love," or, "To want to serve others," or, "To know they are children of God."  My answers would not include reading, mathematics, biology, etc...  So while they are young, I think it's vital to focus on those very important lessons.  I need to ask myself what is essential for these little ones and do it.

The things to focus on in Core phase are: right and wrong, good and bad, true and false, relationships, family values, family identity, family routines and responsibilities, accountability, and the value and love of work and play.

When too much time is spent in academic pursuits, a young child may become confused about what is most important.  Here's another quote (because this book says what I want to say so concisely), "When we give inappropriate attention to academic achievement during these phases, it can teach our children that they dislike academic achievement because everything is hard and boring, and/or offer our children an alternative source of self-worth that is inferior to a genuine and positive self-concept resulting from living according to true values such as faith, good works, and accountability." 

Not that there isn't a time for academic learning.  I read to my babies from the very beginning.  We discuss anything and everything academic in front of and with our children.  They can't help but learn about the things Jim and I study.  My four year old wants desperately to learn about the solar system right now, so we've been learning about it every day.  He wants to be like his dad, and so he pretends to be a father.  He loves books and is making progress every day with his reading.  (Today he sat down and read several pages of a book!)  He asks a million questions every day, and many of them are about science or engineering concepts; I really don't know all the answers.  :)  While these things are important, he still needs most of his time devoted to developing his core.  The biggest deal for me right now, is to not stress out about academic achievement!  My goal is for him to love learning (the next phase) for his lifetime, and I believe now is the time to prepare him for that.