The Heart of the Matter - Conference Review

The Heart of the Matter Online recently held an online homeschool conference.

It was the coolest thing ever.

Five days worth of speakers (most of them in real time!) and live chat with other attendees.

All SO worth the registration fee!

The meme at the Heart of the Matter this Friday is to share the best conference ideas we received. Easy enough since I actually took notes during some of the sessions! (Shh - don't tell!)
From Amy Bayliss:
- It can take a good year or two to find the philosophy and approach that works best for you

- Don't try to get it perfect. Makes mistakes. Learn with your kids as you go

- There are no perfect homeschoolers.

- Make it a lifestyle instead of an obligation. Have fun. homeschooling is about more than academics

- My children are my ministry

- God may not tell you exactly which way to go on something, but He will let you know if you are going the wrong way. Stay in a daily relationship with Him

So sorry.... I didn't write down who the next speaker was, but she had some great points:

- We need to know our children. To try and sense where God is leading them and affirm that.

- Our goal is not to get through the curriculum, but to help our children be what God wants them to be

- Make a list of what we want our kids to leave home with spiritually, academically, and in life skills. Break them down by age and make small goals. Focus on weak areas.

And about boys, from Andrew Pudewa:

- Boys like action (okay, so I knew that, but he made it so relevant to teaching boys!)

- Teach boys adverbs. Admire the action elements of their artwork.

- Boys respond well to physical rewards (activities).

- Karate/marital arts can be very beneficial to boys.

For other conference highlights, be sure and visit HERE and see what others are saying!