Enriching Home Environment for Children

Dear Parent,

Each child is different and is therefore attracted to different aspect of life, nature, people, knowledge and artistic expressions. I exposed my children without imposing and watched them attentively to know what nourishes their souls. I also protected them from stimulation that numbs the senses, addicts the child, is “cheesy,” patronizing or full of commercially intended material.

My oldest son responded with most passion to nature, animals, reading scientific information, biographies, literature and theater acting. The younger sons showed interest in classical music, numbers, science, puzzles and the performing. One developed also much interest in philosophy and spirituality, while the other immersed himself in music, conducting, listening, and playing his instruments.

In the home I created a colorful environment with plants, books, and with art on the walls. I made the home visually pretty and demonsted a commitment to excellence in the way I did anything and everything. At the same time, I prioritize human connection over order and cleanliness. It is a balancing act. 

We filled our home with books of knowledge, arts, literature, thought/spiritual books, acoustic musical instruments and creative toys that don’t dictate what to do with them. (Mostly second hand.) We avoided books that are TV disguised as books. We avoided listening to any music that was not of the highest quality and level of performance. Our children listened, danced and sang music they loved, from the best of the Beatles to Mozart and Bach. They saw videos of Leonard Bernstein concerts for the young with the NY philharmonic, Swan Lake Ballet with Baryshnikov, thoughtful lectures, and nature exploration or documentary videos. No cartoons and no patronizing children stories/movies. 

We did not take our children to the movies. We did see some films on videos very infrequently and always of the highest qualities. We saw Charlie Chaplin latest silent movies, Secret Garden (1993), Amadeus, and a few others.

The play room was full of books on every subject as well as art supplies like papers, art quality and regular crayons and water colors. We never participated in their artistic activities so they were free to let their own imagination guide them. The next issue of Life Learning magazine will have an article of mine explaining why not to participate with children’s creative endeavors.

I took all my children to shows and activities in the community. We attended self-enrichment seminars like Landmark education and Byron Katie. We went to classical concerts the music of which the chidlren were familiar with since the age of three, as well as some jazz and ethnic music. We saw theater, Chinese acrobats, modern dance, ballet, and opera. We went once in a while to the science museum and on nature trips, hiking, boating and unplanned week long car rides. We went camping, kayaking, skiing, swimming etc. All these sound like a lot, but in reality we left home for cultural events less than once per month.

What we avoided is just as important: Our children did not see cartoons nor read books based on movie characters. They did not dwell in a culture of “good guys” and “bad guys.” They did not wear clothes that advertise anything. They did not go shopping hardly ever, and birthdays were a family day; not a party and not a gifts day. Our focus was human relations, connection and the arts. Life included many intense and thoughtful conversations about life, people, the arts, the world, death and love. No competitiveness was introduced. We played board games cooperatively until the kids were older.

Please know that doing all these things does not mean that our family was flying on cloud nine singing and dancing. Mary Poppin did not run our family. I am musically educated (not according to my youngest...) Each parent brings a world into their child’s life. Bring the gift of you and of exploring other opportunities and culture with your children.

Warmly, Naomi Aldort, http://authenticparent.com/index.html