Delight-Directed Studies - Heart of Wisdom

Chapter 12 ➤ Delight-Directed Studiesimperative for a parent to get to know theirchildren—to begin to see them with new eyes ofunderstanding.It is imperative for a parent to get toknow their children—to begin to seethem with new eyes of understanding.Learn what makes your child tick. What is thatactivity or interest that they tend to gravitatetoward time after time? What motivates them tolearn? What is truly the inner delight of their life? What gifts and talents has God givento them that are unique to them alone? Who has God created them to be?God has a unique plan for your child’s life—and He has breathed into them the gifts andtalents that they will need to accomplish His purpose. The challenge is in discoveringthem—unearthing them from beneath the piles of textbooks and curricula that threatento squelch them out of existence—and then developing them for the glory of God.For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which Godprepared in advance for us to do.—Ephesians 2:10God has prepared unique works for your child to perform. Your job is to prepare thechild to complete those tasks, and the best way to do that is through delight-directedstudies. The spark that God has placed within your child will be the thing that evokestheir own enthusiasm for certain topics and ideas—and you can then begin to preparethem for their life ahead by fostering that enthusiasm and causing it to grow.How Can You Use This Method With a Structured Plan?Is it possible to allow a child to study what hewants and still be sure you cover all the bases? Canyou instruct using the delight-directed methodwith a structured curriculum plan? Yes, and yes.The delight-directed method flows beautifully withthe four-step cycle of instruction in all Heart ofWisdom unit studies.The spark that God has placed withinyour child will be the thing thatevokes their own enthusiasm forcertain topics and ideas.Each lesson can be skimmed, covering the basic concepts, while allowing the timeneeded to dwell on the things that delight the student. It’s like introducing new foods—the child won’t know if he likes or dislikes a food until he tries it. If it’s not his cup oftea, you can move quickly on to the next lesson, always looking for a spark of interest.Once you notice the spark, fan it until it grows into a flame.Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.—James 1:5.209