I was watching a bunny run across my back yard. Now, bunnies always catch my attention – but it was the reason for running that KEPT my attention. Apparently, Mr Bunny did NOT want to mess with a family of raccoons. One mommy raccoon and four baby kits we slowly making their way toward our neighbor’s house. I’ve never seen a raccoon with four babies before!
When they came to the gate, mommy and three babies went through single file. The fourth kit balked. Perhaps he had a previous negative experience with a gate, but he just couldn’t go through. Instead this unusual little raccoon decided to climb over the 6 foot metal chain link fence instead of go through the gate. Apparently raccoon kits are pretty coordinated, because he had no trouble getting up half way. Did you know that when they climb down, they actually go head first? Yikes! Anyway, the poor kit got half way up and then wanted to come down, but he also wanted to be on the other side of the fence with his mommy. He ended up climbing sideways for a while before giving up. Mommy raccoon walked all the way back, with the three other siblings in tow, and waited for him to finish doing it the hard way; avoiding the gate that was open wide enough for anyone to pass through.
Three kits walk through the gate, and one decides to take the “road less traveled.”
He certainly learned differently than his siblings. Same parental unit, same environment, and yet a very different outcome. This Kit learns differently!
Just like all raccoon kits learn differently, all kids learn differently, too! If your three children learn a certain way, it can be very upsetting if the fourth can’t use the same curriculum or learn the same way as well. It’s especially frustrating when money is involved! But our kids don’t all learn the same either, and sometimes you do have to re-trace your steps and try to figure out the unique learning style of your unique learner.
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Christianbook.com Curriculum Page
Ann says:
hi Lee!
I loved this article–very nice object lesson! I’ve got one “kit” who learns differently, and I’m doing just that now–trying to figure out what will work best for him. (By the way, thank you so much for your suggestion of Rainbow Science. I had never heard of it, and after the two of us took a good look at both Rainbow and Apologia, this young “kit” responded much more enthusiastically to the Rainbow science lesson. Can’t wait to try it!).
August 20th, 2010 at 7:32 am
Lee says:
Ann,
I’m SO glad that Rainbow Science looks like a good fit for you! It’s very hands-on, so it really can be great for some kids. I have even heard Jay Wile of Apologia say that he thinks it’s a good curriculum!
Blessings,
Lee
August 20th, 2010 at 7:47 am
Leanne Hamby says:
Lee,
What a great illustration! Jesus taught in such a manner, and got his point across, as you have also done. Thank you for this reminder. We shouldn’t be frustrated with our children, but adapt to THEIR learning styles.
August 20th, 2010 at 7:04 pm
J W says:
Two very different kids here. I simply sell what materials I can, and buy used.
August 20th, 2010 at 8:18 pm
Bev says:
Even as adults, we some times insist on taking the hard road. Thanks for sharing this story. I can see all kinds of applications for it.
August 21st, 2010 at 1:12 pm