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We’ve gone over the basic idea of what strewing is, and some places in your home you can start - but what exactly should you strew?
There is no way that one could make a comprehensive list of things you could strew, but hopefully this post will spark some creative ideas.
Join me in my series on The Art of Strewing.
Strewing Resources
Most of what I spend our homeschool budget on nowadays is providing the tools and resources that my children need to discover the world.
Some of those resources are requested by my children. However, I often anticipate what they might need or want for a project or interest and strew those supplies.
Raven and Denna are very artistic, and so when I see new colored pencils or jewelry making supplies that I know they would enjoy, I will leave those items out on the table or in their room.
And when I say resources, I mean anything that they might find useful. Children don’t often know where to find what they need.
Denna recently asked how a person would go about learning to write in cursive. I went on our Christian Unschooling group and asked if anyone had some suggestions for resources she could use. Instead of purchasing her a workbook and having her do certain pages, I showed her how to make her own handwriting worksheets and print them out.
I strewed a resource for her (a website) that she could use over and over again – and in turn opened up a way for her to discover not only handwriting but printing and typing as well.
Strewing Interests
Another way to think about it, perhaps, is similar to when you are dating and newlywed – you keep your eyes out for things you know your partner would like – a favorite author, a musician, a particular food or type of food -Deb Rossing
Many parents, I think, start strewing based on what they know their children like and would find interesting. That is an excellent place to start!
Strewing their interests is easy because there is a good chance they will like what you share, it opens new avenues to explore something they already find engaging, and it provides a way for you to connect with your child.
It also validates their passions and encourages them to pursue what they love and make it into more than just a hobby.
Raven’s watercolor painting of a dragon
Some of the interests I strew are:
- Horses and animals
- Fantasy, dragons, griffins
- Fashion and clothes
- Duct tape crafts
- The Hundred Years War (the girls spent an entire year on this topic)
- Painting, drawing, and clay sculpture
- Jewelry making
- Fiction writing
- Simple motors
- Recycling and green energy
Some of their interests are very fleeting – like Denna simply wanting to know how a simple motor worked because our car window has one – and those are just as important.
Strewing Curiosities
Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams. -Ashly Smith
Life is teeming with interesting things – things that we pass by everyday without noticing.
Things that when examined can cause us to think in new ways and appreciate the beauty in this world.
This area is where I fear most people will miss the mark with strewing. Newbies want to strew “educational” things that their kids will pick up and suddenly love algebra or physics.
But strewing is about scattering their path with interesting things.
We should train ourselves to notice the curiosities in life, and strew those for our children as well. Strew the different, the patterned, the wondrous, the mundane, the textured, the scented, the tasty, the geometrical, etc.
Try leaving a few interesting rocks or leaves out in a bowl on the table. Let your kids touch and explore dice, marbles, fabrics, instruments, anything!
Strew things that will spark curiosity and intrigue.
Strewing Books
I left books last on my list of physical strewing material because, well, books are too easy to strew and get overused.
Don’t rely solely on strewing books – because that gets boring.
Don’t get me wrong. Books are great strewing material. They just aren’t all there is in life. They are a source of information and adventure in addition to real life.
My girls love to go to the library. Whenever we go, I like to look in the sections that they tend to neglect and find a few interesting tomes to show them. Sometimes they take me up on my offer and other times they just set the book aside because it doesn’t catch their fancy.
We love audio books while traveling in the car. It brings us all together as we share an experience through story.
Books are also a great way to get ideas of more things to strew. You can look through a craft book and find supplies and tools they may need. You can find a book about the Civil War and look through for other topics that might relate.
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The possibilities for strewing are endless, and I could never list all the things you could or “should” strew.
Join me tomorrow when I talk about Strewing Ideas And Opportunities!
This post is part of the iHomeschool Network Hopscotch – go check out some of the other series that are being featured (and check out the giveaways that are being hosted there)!
Here are the lovely ladies that are participating in the Autumn 2012 Hopscotch:
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