Docendo discimus
                                              (Latin "by teaching, we learn")
                                       Seneca the Younger
                                        (c. 4 BC – 65 AD)
 

This quote from the Latin Stoic Philosopher, Seneca, has special meaning for those of us who teach at home. Unlike teachers in public and private schools, homeschool educators do not have the luxury of teaching only a single grade (unless they are the parent of a single child) a single subject. The most common situation involves multiple children at multiple stages with multiple interests and abilities studying a wide variety of topics (depending on what is required by state in which one lives.) To be able to do this requires a certain determination -- not patience so much, though my friends who do not homeschool always assume that that virtue is one I must have in abundance. (For the record, I do NOT! Grin.) -- and a willingness to learn. Yes, you read that last word correctly. The one who teaches must be willing to learn.

LEARN.

Think about it.

How many of us -- even those who have gone 'all the way' through Grad school -- are REALLY prepared to teach EVERY subject at EVERY grade level to children of different ages with different interests and attention spans? I can't think of one. Some, in fact a growing number, of homeschoolers, are ex-teachers. They come to the experience with a tool kit which those who were not "taught to teach" might envy but even they are not necessarily prepared for the totality of the challenge. Most of us fake it at one time or another. And those of us who are really committed and wish to survive, seek out help and learning opportunities.

Those opportunities have increased in the years that I have been homeschooling. As the number of homeschoolers has grown, so too have the number of "how to" webinars, seminars, convention meetings, books, audio recordings, self help and Facebook groups. But in the end, the only one who can DO the work is the learner -- the parent, the teacher.

So... where does 'by teaching, we learn' come in?
Well, I cannot answer for other people but for me, the answer is very simple:

Every time I assign something (or think about assigning something) to my children, I prepare by learning about it first myself. That means I 'pre-read' the books I assign (Oh, I cannot TELL you how many books I have REJECTED as a result of this particular practice!) and I test out practical experiments whenever possible...

Whenever possible... That phrase can come back to bite you.

Sometimes you can't prepare.

Sometimes you have to dive in.

Sometimes the mistakes are your teachers... and often, the mistakes you make in FRONT of your children and HOW you handle those mistakes are the BEST lesson of all.

Sometimes your CHILDREN will know the subject better than you do and THEY will teach YOU about it... and THAT can be the best lesson of all.

As they teach, you learn, and they, all unknowing, reinforce their own knowledge.

And you? You are teaching them HOW to behave as a student.

You are showing them HOW to handle making mistakes.

You are demonstrating the value of persistence, of perseverance.

And they are experiencing the joy of sharing knowledge with someone who is really interested.

They are teaching us HOW to teach them by how they teach us.

So many lessons.

So little time.

They grow so fast.

By Teaching, We learn.

And I have learned that one is never too old to experience surprise and wonder.