How can I be a larger part of my child's character formation?
What are some ideas, stories, and habits that I can share with my child to help him or her grow?
How can I help my child reach more of their potential as a student, person, and disciple of Christ?
These questions all point to the opportunity that our parents have in growing with their child. One of the most important aspects of our educational model at RMCA is the inclusion of parents and family life within a child's studies. We believe that while the academic training that happens at school is essential to a child's growth, even more important is what is happening in a boy's or girl's primary relationships at home. And while you can count on us to teach the 20+ whole person subjects with which your child will be engaging each week, there is also very good work for us to do as parents, a child's primary educators.
In her book Parents and Children, Charlotte Makes this argument regarding what she considers the priority of any child's education:
...character is an achievement, the one practical achievement possible to us for ourselves and
for our children... all real advance, in family or individual or nation, is along the lines of character... to
direct and assist the evolution of character is the chief office of education.
The one practical achievement, the real advance, the chief office of education--all of these qualifiers point to the essential nature that who we are and who we are becoming determine the value and usefulness of our studies and academic growth. Simply put, character drives any enduring, authentic learning. Learning divorced or gained in spite of character (e.g. cheating, cramming due to procrastination, learning to gain an award or beat someone else) is a much reduced form of learning. Facts, skills, and even expertise, without a simultaneous growth in character, are robbed of their true worth.
Perhaps a helpful question to ask is how can we best cooperate with God's grace and love for our families by modeling what it means to be people of character ourselves? Our work together
to yield our strength to a child's weakness,
to pursue a relational alliance for the child's good,
to daily sow ideas that inspire and engage,
and to help a child understand the natural consequences (positive and negative) of one's decisions,
is the kind of life together in our community that will most help each of our children demonstrate his or her potential in studies, relationships, and character.
What kind of adult will your child be? So much of that is determined by how the adults in his or her life are intentionally cultivating character. We look forward to continuing to work with you for the growth of your child in the days to come.
Peace of Christ to you.
