From the Archives

As Polliwogs' first anniversary approaches, I thought I'd link to a few favorites from the archives. I will begin with one that really under-girds our philosophy of education here, that children should be allowed to continue to learn to read, write, etc. in the same way they learned to crawl, walk and speak, with no pressure from adults to arrive at certain milestones at certain times.

As a side note, some have argued from certain theological perspectives, that this approach does not take into account the sin nature making them lazy and unmotivated to learn. We would then ask, why did this sin nature not prevent them from learning to walk or talk, etc., in the first place? The problem is that we have arbitrarily created a system without which we cannot imagine a human could function. "Do your lessons, graduate, go to college, get a job so you can pay the bills, then have a family and raise your kids the same way." Our minds are locked into this reasoning and we see no way around it. Where now is any room left for Jesus' words, "Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly father feeds them."? And where is there room for the individual to follow her gifts and talents, whether or not they can turn a profit or afford insurance? Is there any hope in this God forsaken social clime?

The only hope, if any, is to allow our children to grow up free from these constraining values. To follow their passions, learn at their own pace, and be aided by every opportunity that is in our power to give them as they pursue their dreams. Then they may have the gift of imagination to think outside the box. My hope is that they will enter society, not driven by necessity, but with the power to live and preach an alternative. And if they decide to stay here with us and help "work the farm", that's fine too. This is what my parents did for me, and I could do no less for them.