Conversation (#23)

In her book Designing Your Own Classical Curriculum, Laura Berquist said: "Talk to your children about their academic work. Conversation with you is the most formative part of their intellectual life."

Conversation happens quite naturally within a family setting and has a huge impact on a child's formation. The thinking skills involved in collecting one's thoughts, choosing key points from a story, answering questions or defending a position are well-worth the effort AND they provide excellent preparation for writing.

When we talk with our children about what they're learning, we increase their interest in the subject, we show them in a powerful way that we value their studies, we help them make connections and we often spread interest to other members of the family as well. The dinner table, car rides, special parent-child outings and shared chore times are all great occasions for informal conversation and discussion.