Narration woes!

Jennifer,

I’m sorry to hear of your difficulties. Take a deep breath and go slowly.

It could be that he just needs a gift of time. Narration is a difficult skill that takes much practice to build into a solid skill. Perhaps, he just isn’t quite ready.

If you feel he is ready, but just doesn’t like narrating, another option would be to use different narration ideas – drawing a picture, acting it out, etc. There is a list on this site to get you started.

It will come, it just takes time and prayer. Never fail to fall on your knees and ask the Lord for His wisdom, He is faithful and just to send it to you! (I know we all know this, but a reminder never hurts!) 😀

Blessings,

Christie

Jennifer,

Age six is very young, at the beginning of learning to narrate. I have a 7 1/2 and an 8 yr. old and we are in our 2nd year and it’s been this year that the narration has taken off, but they (usually my 7 yr.old) have days where I have to back up and do just one paragraph instead of 2 or three that they do now (depending on how much info. is involved). Every year, the length gets longer. They can narrate longer on books they’ve read themselves. Even though my daughter uses her hands with everything else, she too would get engrossed in what she was into kinethetically.

How much are you reading before you ask for him to tell you? At that age, at the beginning of narration, a line or two, a short paragraph at the most. It’s better to read two sentences and have success, than a paragraph and it be a real struggle at the beginning. The Aulaire books are long books with a lot of information.

Another way to strengthen his auditory skills is to put on auditory books for him to listen to frequently.

He will get it, but it is a process that must be eased into; narration is active not passive. You may have to jump-start hima little or give a nudge now and then. Also, after what subject are you doing this, or tiume of day? Is he fatigued? I found mine did well after having a 20 min. outdoor break.

How much tv does he watch? What other living books are around him for his own enjoyment? Being vigilant about all of his book choices will help steer him in the right direction of developing his appetite for good stuff; my dd is adopted and I’ve had to pay careful attention to what she chooses in the library and what I allow other people to buy for her, becasue she gets “lazy brain”.

If you find he’s really excited about a particular book, that’s the time to ask him to “tell me all about it!” for practice, unbeknownst to him.

Oh, I almost forgot, he can practice narrating using artwork. That’s what he’ll be doig for art study anyway. Wherever you’re at, home or office building there will be a buetiful art print somewhere; draw his attention to it and ask him what he sees; what colors, shapes, what it makes him think about. This is getting his brain working in the fashion that it needs to be.

Hope I didn’t just overwhelm you. I know narration works, but it takes time and there are tricks to it. Remember. he’s six yr. old and a 6 yr. old boy at that; more interested in other things. Maybe history isn’t the best starting place for narration. In my house last year, with a fidgety girl, the D’Aulaire Maybe Nature study (with all the bugs and slimy things?)books and good “boy” literature. There are other history books geared more for that age group. I used general history stories last year before getting into the nitty-gritty of details this year. His age stories of a wide variety of adventures and people hold the attention. I used “Stories of Great Americans for Little Americans” for history and narrating and “Fifty Famous Stories Retold” for listening (you can get an audio from Homeschool Radioshows). Listening to great classic lit. on audio really gives them a taste for well told stories.

Poetry (or Aesop) is a good idea, too to start with. Yes, after he’s built an amazing city out of blocks ask him to tell you all about it; that’s narration, too. he’s telling you a story.

Yesterday’s Classics has the aforementioned history book and wonderful Nature books (we’re using the “Among the…People series) that appeal to the hearts of children; making them want to listen and they’re learning, too.

http://www.yesterdaysclassics.com

ANy questions? Did I make sense?

Rachel

Jennifer, I am right there with you..you are not alone. Thanks to everyones great ideas and encouragement..I know it was mean’t for Jennifer but THANK YOU!!!

Shelly 😀

First of all, I identify with a child that gets the sillies. My dd is prone to that. However, that doesn’t mean that there won’t be critical thinking, attention and appreciation for good books, but it takes some vigilance in things that negatively promote the silliness. It’s really just like any other behavior, sinful or not. Sometimes it’s a weakness in it’s imbalance because all of life isn’t that way; sillyness and fun and games. We adopted her and she was exposed to drugs and alcohol in utero and neglect and abuse until 3. I tell you this because she started out slow on this, but she is doing great now, at almost 8. She was much slower on the uptake of narration; I started her narrating using the Rod and Staff readers and filled her world with classical music and stories on cd. It’s been since she’s turned 7 last April, that her narration has improved. There were some practical things I did to encourage her appetite direction, in books, music and tv/movies. Speaking of music, I reduced the silly children’s music she would gravitate to as well.

As for your question, do not read to him again, that will compound the problem. I’m uncomfortable with ‘natural consequences’ with this because you don’t want it to be connected with a negative, at least at the beginning. I’ve never imposed any; I just assume I’m doing something wrong, not creating the right environment, reading too long, wrong timing, they’re hungry, if it’s continual then perhaps wrong book, etc…Sometimes I would just start up on the next couple of sentences or try again later in the day. If you had to have one, a consequence I can think of are; have him read the same portion area aloud to you and tell you what he’s just read. Also, before you read to him, tell him what you’re asking for, but start basic; who it’s about and what was he/she doing? Then go from there, maybe he’s not sure how to get started or what you’re looking for?

Now before I go further, I’m not against tv and we own one with satellite, however, I am very strict about what they watch. The war against twaddle isn’t just about books, it abounds on tv, too and in modern children’s music. It’s not just how much but what is going in their hearts and brains during that time.

I will say we do 30-45 min. during the school week and 1 movie on the weekends. Also, they very rarely watch cartoons. The shows they watch are in real-time, with real people and with many in black and white. Modern shows targeted towards children have a great deal of ‘flickering’ in the changing scenes and definitely not in real-time; they discourage good concentration skills. Concetration isn’t needed and neither is comprehension, just reaction. There’s been a lot of science behind how they’ve found these shows affecting the eyes and the brain. I wish I could explain it as thoroughly as it was explained to me. Check out John Rosemond’s “Raising Happy, Healthy Children” for more indepth info.

I actually noticed a big change when we had a period when I allowed Boomerang daily or everyother, for a while. I started to notice that there was discontent with other shows that they had previously enjoyed and they were not as thorough with their work, and I noticed a harder time with self-control and acting out the cartoons, talking about them incessantly, etc… things were just different than they had been. So I cut it out and things gradually got back to normal. The same thing occurs if there’s been a sickness or I haven’t been feeling good and I am more lax about too much animated movies or old cartoons (the only ones I allow). Also, I had to totally cut it out with both of them at various times if I found the desire for it crowding out other ideas and activities; a preoccupation in the mind and/or growing disinterest in other worthwhile things. I treat cartoons and animated movies like I do junk food; not for daily use.

You mentioned toys; does he use alot of electronic toys? Keep in mind that electronic toys do the thinking for the child and do not require anything but fingers and reaction. Not to mention are limited in their scope, uses and creativity. Are the toys he has causing him to be creative and industrious?

Please don’t take this wrong; you mentioned Bible stories aren’t capturing his attention, you may want to consider looking at what you’re allowing to compete with the Bible? To be frank, this world offers so much that draws our attention from G-d, that part of what we’re doing here is training our children to desire, have a hunger for Him and the good things instead of the counterfeit, easy, attractive, colorful things of this secular world. I do believe the CM ways of doing things encourage that hunger for the things of G-d. Perhaps a good storybook form Bible that captures the imagination and adventure combined with Scripture verses for memory? Also, keep in mind HOW you read the Bible stories, read it like the adventure it is!

I had to start really slow w/my dd and some of the early books I chose were wrong. Also, I started monitoring what books she checked out; do they have more pictures than words? if so, they were not allowed. As for any books you’re using now, it’s okay to stop what you’re doing and use it at a later time. I’ve done that before. I still do that with her.

Is he interested in any animals or area in the natural world? The Christian Liberty Nature Readers would be a good read aloud for him to narrate. JIm Arnosky has some great nature books.

As for History, where you start is totally up to you. For me I chose American history till about 4th grade for several reasons. One, I think there’s more connection, it’s more personal to them and starts to develop the love of country and knowledge of our history first; we’re Americans. Second, there is so much paganism in the Ancient History of Rome, Greece and Egypt that I didn’t want to delve into those cultures at this point in their lives when I was putting in the foundation of our faith. They’ve had exposure to these other cultures through our Scripture readings and other ways (reading “Fifty Famous Stories Retold” is world not just American stories), but without being indepth at this point.

He’s a boy, but old enough to begin teaching him to become the man of G-d you want him to be. Boys are visual. But look around us at the boys in our culture. They are wasting their minds and their time away. We’re losing our boys in this visual, tv and video game and tech culture, with no desire for higher thought processes, they can’t carry on a conversation without saying ‘um’ and ‘like’ 3x in a sentence. 😡

Another book I am getting soon and have heard so many good things about is “Preparing Sons”. Training our sons to reach higher than what this culture is trying to give them an appetite for. I’m sorry to get so serious, but the Scripture talks about what we should think about (which indicates we can have control over our mind’s direction, which requires practice) and how it’s the transforming thru the renewing of our minds that matter; our hearts are deceptive and wicked. This is what we have a hand in. I know that Sally Clarkson also has a mom’s book about raising boys, too. They are a different breed from girls!

I hope I haven’t offended you or stepped over any boundaries.I can get on a soap box at times. Our children’s minds are being fought for and our culture wants our children dumbed down. You can do this. Pray and Just adjust; hopefully something I’ve said makes sense and will be of help.

If I’ve said something I shouldn’t have I hope you’ll forgive me, but if I was unclear on something or you can give me some more details so I can be moe detailed I’d be happy to.

Rachel

Hi Jennifer,

I’m sorry I haven’t gotten back with you earlier. I had to start preparing for, enacting then recover from Passover night!

Some of the shows I’m talking about are The Muppet Show (now that’s goofy!I have to watch it too), Does he like trains? What about Thomas the Tank Engine? For other shows; Leave it to Beaver, Andy Griffith Show, I Love Lucy, Bonanza, Little House on the Prairie; they even get a kick out of The Dick Van Dyke Show (mainly due to the physical humor), Lone Ranger, Lassie, Rin Tin TIn and especially Robin Hood (from the 50’s):

http://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Robin-Hood-Complete-Season/dp/B0012VCMR0/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1239413685&sr=8-10.

Of cartoons, you could start substituting before taking away; like using the Nest videos (order or library) as part of TV time, the Greatest Adventure Stories of the BIble (Amazon or library), the Moody science videos (at his age use the Children’s Moody Science Adventure series)

http://www.libraryanded.com/store/CHILD602.html

and the Newton’s Workshop series

http://www.libraryanded.com/store/NEWTO601.html

Replace the frequency of animated movies with real life movies. Examples come from old musicals (at least at our house, I don’t know at yours) older Disney movies, pre-70’s. Like “Mary Poppins”, “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”, “Davy Crockett”, “Parent Trap”, “Pete’s Dragon”, “The Apple Dumpling Gang”, “The Love Bug” (these two are really dumb, so I don’t allow over and over)”Old Yeller” (I don’t know how you feel about the ending for his age), “Swiss Family Robinson”, the list goes on and on…others are for slightly older. I pick these up at Netflix or Library.

As for his understanding or not, to me it’s irrelevant. YOu are the teacher and parent and are establishing the use of the tv. I’ve already raised a teen (my step-son) and you want to establish your authority in the media area as well as teach how everything has a message so eventually they can make good choices themselves . What irks me about modern animated movies is they have liberal messages in them, but that’s another conversation; But it is important to teach our children to be discerning in their media choices and be able to constructively notice the messages within. The values presented in the 50’s movies for families are different than the modern ones, the vulgarity and such.

If you read some of John Rosemond’s books (he really encourags the parent in thier Biblical authoritative role), as well as the Bible, children do not have to understand or think anything is “fair” (which is really grumbling and a disobedient heart towards the parents). You establish the boundaries and privileges and HOW those priveleges are used. For exmaple, just because my child has a radio (or did in our case) there are still boundaries in using those privileges. Having said that, you can transition or go suddenly, because I doubt you’re going to talk to him and he’s going to day “Oh yes, mommy you make sense, that’s a great idea taking away my noggin!” How you should handle your son, I don’t exactly know, but you’re not going to convince him that you have a great idea for his brain and media appetite/entertainment training. He’s not going to understand that his book (entertainment) choice is related to his tv (entertainment) choice. Does that make sense?

I do believe in talking to them when we’ve come to these conclusions about how we’ve let things slide (I’ve had to do this many times), or changed our mind about something and how I know I have let the wrong things take up his time and this is how it’s going to be now. Then lay out the new rules of the tv and stick to it.

We have one movie a week, rarely an animated one. Daily, if they get thier chores by 8:30, they get to choose one show (30 min), and we have more non-animated to choose from than animated. Plus it’s a habit and a cartoon, Boomerang or old cartoon DVD is a treat. That’s separate from any school show (also 30 min., science, history, artist or music, depending on the day).

Does this make any sense to you? It’s late for me and I feel like I’m compounding info.

Never give up on your husband, because he is “being saved” by the Spirit drawing him as a result of your prayers. Pray without ceasing for him and fight Satan for him, take authority because Satan doesn’t want your husband to lead his family. But even during this time when he may not see the moral reasons that you are convicted one way or another, you can approach things from a logical and scientific perspective. Approaching too in relation to the success of your homeschooling. Since I don’t know your husband I can’t tell you the approach, but most men repond to logic and he will start to see a change. I’m sure he trusts you. My husband likes his tv, too and he’s saved and I still cringe at some of his choices (they’re so much better than they used to be!), it’s a process, just like with your son.

But think about it; In yourself, would you continue to sin against G-d once you read it’s a sin just because you don’t understand why G-d made it a sin and you’ve been doing it for so long? I doubt it.

It’s no different with your son, he’s just you (not saying he’s sinning) in the above scenario.

I also hope some of my other options mentioned earlier will help. Also, since he was so interested in the art, perhaps bring in more materals for hands-on activites. There’s so much to strengthen his thinking skills and his improving narration skills is part of a big picture. He also may like the book for history I mentioned earlier for “Little Children” and narrating books about subjects he’s already excited about.

I look forward to hearing back from you. You may even contact me by my personal email if you like.

I will be praying for you and your husband.

Rachel

Yes, Christie and they call US unsocialized!

Yes, I do notice it when we are out and we have at least one generation so over-stimulated; requiring such a tremendous amount of entertainment, noise, color and excitement that the simple joys of His Creation, looking at birds and trees doesn’t compare-not to mention listening to the still voice of G-d amongst all the noise.

I have to say, I take CM’s adviceon choosing books with an eye for what kind of illustrations it has seriously, too. No cartoonish pictures, but artwork. And many of our books are pre-1920’s so they have drawings in B & W. I think it has paid off. I want their stimulation to occur when they walk out our door and look at the Spring day and say “WOW”, as well as be able to admire good drawings as my son gave me such pleasure in remarking on the illustrations in his Wind in the Willows book tonight. My husband hasn’t always understood my reasoning (he’s a short attention span, tv guy), but what he has done is seen the fruit.

The audio sources you mentioned are great, too; we have those. Library and Educational Services has the tapes on tremendous markdown and low costs on the cds.

In Deuteronomy, when we are given the command to educate our children, it consists of talking, when you rise up and when you lie down; in relationship. In my view, and I’ve had to put this into practice many times in our home, if my child’s attentions and heart’s desire shows me they’re choosing something else over G-d or us(the parents), it’s gone.

If I think of any other items as Cristie mentioned I’ll chime in.

Rachel