“For although equipping learners to carry out such inquiries [successful inquiries into what is true, good, and beautiful] has been the primary task of education shaped by Christian worldview, contemporary culture which has despaired of the existence of such absolutes has turned the task of education and its resources into programs of self-esteem, cultural assimilation, and pleasant experiences that train for secure and lucrative jobs.”
a quote from Dr. Steve A. Hein in his article “The Case for Resurrecting Classical Education” published in the book “A Handbook for Classical Lutheran Education”
As our culture becomes increasingly obsessed with subjective truth and fulfilling every wish, whim, and desire- we are met with the message that children need to be entertained in order to really engage and learn.
In his article “The Case for Resurrecting Classical Education” Dr. Steven A. Hein laments that modern education “must be made fun and entertaining” adding that the “central goal of education for so many students today is to acquire a good job and make lots of money for the purpose of even greater entertainment and consumption.”
We see this need to be “edutained” everywhere in our Western civilization. From educational cartoons that teach math, to noisy toys that light up and teach reading, to apps that claim to teach phonics. It’s even infiltrating homeschool lessons with parents introducing Nerf guns to math lessons and prepping an endless number of Pinterest-worthy arts & crafts.
What is missing is the idea that learning and the gaining of knowledge is in itself inherently fun. Dr. Hein notes that children of the grammar age (elementary school age) often find “memorization easy and fun.”
Children already find learning fun! Let us not fall into the temptation of our modern society to make learning fun, and thereby removing the richness of education. Instead, let’s call for a collective return to classical education by focusing on what is good, true, and beautiful, allowing our children to find the joy and fun in a life-long pursuit of truth.
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If you are interested in learning more about classical education and classical Lutheran education, you might find the following resources helpful”
- A Handbook for Classical Lutheran Education: The Best of the Consortium for the Classical and Lutheran Education’s Journals: a great place to start if you are interested in learning specifically about Classical Lutheran Education. The book contains several short articles, all of which address Classical Lutheran Education and the challenges and rewards of pursuing such and education.
- Curriculum Resource Guide for Classical Lutheran Education: an absolute must for homeschoolers who want to pursue a Classical Lutheran Education! The book is filled with invaluable information that will provide recommendations on classical curriculum from Lutheran pastors and homeschooling parents.
- The Well-Educated Mind: A Guide to the Classical Education You Never Had: this book is a bit more of an investment than the previous two suggestions, however it is well worth it if you are wanting to gain confidence in your ability to provide your children a classical education, when you were not classically educated yourself. The first four chapters provide a broad stroke description on how to approach a classical self-education, the remaining chapters provide detailed reading lists of classical books.
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