Thanksgiving to the Lord!

by Becky Wyand

1.    Pause and Reflect

“Oh, give thanks to the Lord!  Call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples!” Ps. 105:1

As we face the holiday season, it is beneficial to reflect on what we know about God.  Together you could list “His deeds” that your family has witnessed and experienced.  You could share where and how to “give thanks”.  You could discuss how you are going to make His deeds known.  Try with the power of the Holy Spirit and the surrender of your own heart to make this Thanksgiving exercise real and personal.

He is worthy of our trust.  Declare that to your children.

2.    Order

Do you constantly wish for more order in your life?  Do you wish that your schedule worked more efficiently?  Do you find more to do than time to do it?

Rejoice!  God’s plan is for order, I think.  Not being satisfied with your chaos is one evidence of God at work in you and in your home. Continue to pray, expecting God to lead you step by step.

Don’t be overwhelmed. We all struggle with schedules and time management.  Be more concerned about your surrender than about your efficiency.

3.    Language

Please be reminded of the ease with which noun and verb can be learned.  Make a stack of word cards.  Be sure the words are either near-by objects or actions of which you or the child is capable.  Place 2 cards additional on the table, one marked “N” the other “V”.  As the child draws a card from the prepared pile he either goes to get the object or performs the action.  After he has done the appropriate thing, he puts the card on the appropriate letter, “N” for noun and “V” for verb.  After this understanding is drilled you can branch out into other nouns and verbs.

4.    Thinking Skill

Often opportunities to teach are right at hand.  How fortunate for you that your children are with you so much and can have the advantage of these opportunities.

Consider these easy to implement ideas to teach your children to think:

a)      During read-aloud time (you reading, the children listening) pause periodically and ask the child to explain a phrase, word or idea.

b)      Do oral math problems, especially those with 3 steps.

c)      Have the child explain research findings.

d)      Discuss the meaning of Scripture.

e)      Listen to a new broadcast together and evaluate.

f)        Discuss why you make the choice you make.

g)      Require participation in planning events.

5.    Teaching Method

Consider story telling as a teaching method.  So much of what your children need to know, you already have learned.  Take the opportunity to teach them by making little stories to prove you point.

Examples of how to use story telling as a teaching tool:

a)      You’re faced with the need to remind your child of character issues.  Consider telling what influenced you to be truthful (or whatever trait you are aiming for).  Don’t just give the facts but make the situation into a story.  If you know you are embellishing, admit that part of this story is fact!

b)      Read a chapter in the text and tell it to your children.

c)      Tell the main points of a great piece of literature.

d)      Tell stories to show how to make wise choices and avoid foolish choices.

6.    Discipline

Choosing friends has been discussed in discipline circles for a long time.  The argument is, “Did the friend corrupt my son? or Did my corrupt son choose friends like himself?”  Whichever side of the argument you are on you probably would agree that how a child chooses his friends usually does reflect his heart.  Because we know that our children are immature we are wise to separate them from friends whose influence is unholy.  When separation is impossible, then openness and honesty in discussing what you observe is in order.

Warning:  When you see a child acting like a rebellious friend, admit that that rebellious behavior was probably already in your child’s heart, attracting him to that friend.

Therefore, the answer is to continue to PRAY for and TRAIN the heart.

7.    Journals

If your children are too young or otherwise incapable of keeping a journal, consider this suggestion (actually you could use this idea along with personal journals).

Purchase a pretty journal book or a tablet.  Set aside one day each week as journal day.  You could use reading or language time in your schedule.

Have all of the children gather around the table.  Encourage them to give comments that YOU record in journal.  Always date your entry.  Give credit, if applicable, to the right person.  Occasionally re-read your entries.

This is a good idea, even if done once a month.

Entries could include ideas gained from study of the Word, academic reminders, purchases made, hobbies begun, project report and much more.