The Delight-Directed Approach

Delight-directed learning takes advantage of the natural motivation in our children toward a passionate interest. Under parental supervision, support and guidance, the child is given the time and space to investigate and explore his interests. By providing the materials and applying the educational tools of learning (reading, writing, arithmetic, reason) to the subject matter, the parent can encourage the child to acquire knowledge for himself. In delight-directed learning, there is no scope and sequence in which to learn “the facts.” Rather, the facts are acquired as a subject is developed from our child’s interests. There are many ways to incorporate this method in our homes – some formal (starting a unit study) and some very informal (providing reference books, field trips, notebooks, paper and supplies). Whatever your approach, you’ll want to consider these gems from the delight-directed perspective:

Life purpose. If the ultimate goal of our homeschool is to prepare our children for their future, then the top objective on that list should be to help our children find their life purpose. They have been wonderfully created with a desire toward the purpose for which the Creator will use them. We can take advantage of the benefits of educating at home by allowing them time to explore their interests, to encourage their unique strengths, guide them in developing these strengths and tutor them in applying these strengths as their interests develop.

Developing creativity. Delight-directed studies can’t help but to foster creativity. Creativity is an outgrowth of providing our children the time they need to explore and express their interests.

Motivation. One sign that our educational efforts are succeeding will be when our children are able to acquire knowledge and learn on their own; when we find it difficult to keep them supplied with rich material as their level of interest peaks. There is no better motivation for learning than the one that comes from within. Our child’s interests can be utilized to foster learning.

Exploration. We should never underestimate the value of providing our children with time to explore. Through their free time, we have an opportunity to see our children’s natural bents and interests. Through “play” our children have an opportunity to explore and develop their interests and talents.

Further Reading

• Basic Intro to Delight-Directed Learning
  “First, just to clear up the usual mis-impression, ‘delight-directed’ does not mean ‘flesh-directed.’ It simply means that as much of the child’s education as possible is built on his/her interests and delights rather than on generic text/workbooks and/or a curriculum company’s scope and sequence.” Barb Shelton’s explanation of what delight-directed learning is and what it is not.
• Beyond Survival
  Now this is our idea of “delight-directed” homeschooling: the place where life, education, and home come together. With a wonderful sense of humor and a load of encouragement, Diana Waring motivates us to really serve our children as their tutors – customizing our approach to fit their learning style, interests and family life, while providing many opportunities to practice using the “tools” of learning.
• Delight-Directed Learning
  “The child’s personal interests in life should not be looked upon as having mere fringe educational benefits, but should be recognized as central to his development.” Delight-directed learning as explained by Marilyn Howshall.
• Practice Controlled Creativity
  Thoughts on guiding our children’s interests, while still guarding and guiding them.  “We must encourage our children in their creative growth, but not by setting them free in as many directions as they want to go all at once. Instead, we must allow them pursue what they are able to handle with self-control. And as we do, we’ll watch them grow to maturity and continue to pursue their passions for the glory of God.” An article from Home Educating Magazine.