We've always loved snuggling up at night to watch family movies.
Lately, we've discovered a way to combine education with our cozy pastime
and even I'm surprised to say it's thanks to YouTube.
and even I'm surprised to say it's thanks to YouTube.
YouTube?!
If it's nighttime, we'll usually prop up the laptop, gather blankets, pillows, even our favorite ladybug tent sometimes in Mom and Dad's bedroom...then we search through the vast resources available with the simple click of a keyboard. It's fun! The kids will ask about things, each choosing topics they are curious about, and then we go hunting for documentaries.
In the morning or during school hours, we'll gather around the kitchen table (smoothies in hand) or make a semicircle on the floor while we watch and learn. Gone are the days of film projectors such as I watched back in school. For us and our homeschooling lifestyle, a laptop and pjs will do. :)
It's amazing the wealth of knowledge we have at our fingertips these days and if we spend our curiosity wisely, there is much to learn through web resources...and...it's free! (Not to mention landslides more productive than anything Redbox has to offer.) I definitely count YouTube as an asset to the homeschooling family when it's utilized with integrity.
In the morning or during school hours, we'll gather around the kitchen table (smoothies in hand) or make a semicircle on the floor while we watch and learn. Gone are the days of film projectors such as I watched back in school. For us and our homeschooling lifestyle, a laptop and pjs will do. :)
It's amazing the wealth of knowledge we have at our fingertips these days and if we spend our curiosity wisely, there is much to learn through web resources...and...it's free! (Not to mention landslides more productive than anything Redbox has to offer.) I definitely count YouTube as an asset to the homeschooling family when it's utilized with integrity.
Tracking back a few years ago, I recall it was YouTube videos that opened our eyes to the cry of the orphan worldwide and even influenced our hearts toward adoption. To think we can see in an instant the desperate needs across the globe is mind blowing! Truly, we are without excuse to recognize the needs of our global neighbors here in our world of modern technology. The eyes of our hearts ought to be moved when we SEE our brothers and sisters in need.
"By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and SEES his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."
1 John 3:16-18
I remember our family years ago sitting around our computer screen with all of our children watching a documentary about families who lived in a garbage dump so they could eat (from the trash) and collect rummage to sell for mere coins as income. This happens all around our world everyday while others of us have well more than our daily necessities.
I want my children to understand this. I want to understand this...and be moved to action.
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."
James 1:22-25
I remember inspirational adoption stories which opened our eyes and ultimately our hearts to the calling God was preparing us for through adoption and orphan care. I remember realizing that we could offer a loving home to a child in need because of simple YouTube videos the Lord allowed our family to see.
Clearly God can use the internet's power for good.
But, the enemy can also use it for destruction, so we must be watchful.
I want my children to understand this. I want to understand this...and be moved to action.
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."
James 1:22-25
I remember inspirational adoption stories which opened our eyes and ultimately our hearts to the calling God was preparing us for through adoption and orphan care. I remember realizing that we could offer a loving home to a child in need because of simple YouTube videos the Lord allowed our family to see.
Clearly God can use the internet's power for good.
But, the enemy can also use it for destruction, so we must be watchful.
"Be sober-minded; be watchful.
Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."
1 Peter 5:8
In our family, we employ a PARENTS ONLY search rule for desired documentaries and educational content without little eyes watching (You never know what might pop up on a YouTube sidebar!). But indeed YouTube has taught us much and provided an educational and entertaining component to our home education. (PS...I always click into full screen mode before sharing my search results with the kids to avoid the unknown on the sidebar.)
Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."
1 Peter 5:8
In our family, we employ a PARENTS ONLY search rule for desired documentaries and educational content without little eyes watching (You never know what might pop up on a YouTube sidebar!). But indeed YouTube has taught us much and provided an educational and entertaining component to our home education. (PS...I always click into full screen mode before sharing my search results with the kids to avoid the unknown on the sidebar.)
The internet can be a blessing or a curse so we must google wisely, keeping our hearts and eyes with all vigilance. That said, we have learned about lots of interesting things lately from our snuggle up family time exploring fascinating facts via YouTube and I hope we continue to see and witness and learn even more in the days and years yet to come.
"Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life."
Proverbs 4:23
"An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge."
"An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge."
Proverbs 18:15
"How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not wander from your commandments!
I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you."
With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not wander from your commandments!
I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you."
Proverbs 19:9-11