The Reluctant Learner

  She is 6 years old and in the first grade.  She is loving, creative, compassionate and witty.  I truly believe she should have had a Waldorf foundation rather than Montessori.   She loves fantasy and make believe.  She is what grandmothers describe as having her head in the clouds.  She is instantly saddened at the thought of being separated from her family and often tells me-with tears, she never wants to grow up.   

Slightly contradictory, she wants to be a fashion model and practices her walk and poses often.  Regardless of my efforts to keep the materialistic beast of consumerism at bay, she saves every penny for a new Barbie or Pet Shop.  She thinks Justin Beiber is the cutest. 

She has a severe speech disorder which has held her back socially and academically. She lets us know she has no interest in becoming a reader.  When I attempt to 'do school' with her she peacefully resists.

 She is our Gracie Delight.

 I have seriously doubted my ability to educate her.

At the same time I feel putting her in a public classroom would be throwing her to the wolves.  She is part of a homeschooling class twice a week through our school district, but I can't imagine any more than that.

She loves expressing herself through art.

I think it is the language she is most fluent in.  Here is one of her drawings where I can see her wrestling with existential issues.

Sometimes I am just at a loss as to how best reach her.  I have to make learning appear almost effortless, just something we do-not school.  I attempt to surround her with opportunities (prepared environment)  and watch for any spark of interest.  

A recent example is she was rescuing bees from our kiddie pool.  This prompted "What do the boy ones look like?" and "How do they make honey?" I was then able to guide her in a little research.  We read, watched and made honey cookies. 

 This leads me to her current interest which is baking.  She calls it experimenting with recipes.  True to Grace form she doesn't want a recipe but chooses to create her own.  I am taking advantage of this as much as possible without pushing.  

She measures, tastes, mixes and (at my prompting) records her recipes.  

She loves stories and I am searching for more ways to utilize storytelling for the greatest impact.  Her speech is improving with therapy but it is a long road.  

Have any of you faced similar struggles with your children?  I'd love to hear ways you came up with to educate your reluctant learner.