Homeschooling Chronicles: The Benefits of Day Dreaming

I might be wrong, but I think that as a child, I spent more hours dreaming during the day, than I did at night. Often, a thought unrelated to what I was supposed to be thinking about, would distract me. And off my mind went, willingly, on the journey. Unfortunately, I would come out of the day dream and I would be back in the classroom, or in a pew at church, and I had no idea what had been happening. My parents were exasperated and irritated with me. As far as I was concerned, it wasn't my fault. The teacher was boring, or the sermon was dull. For years I was told, “Just wait until you have children of your own.” Now that I do, I have my own day dreamers to deal with.

As a fellow day dreamer, my reaction to the wandering thoughts of my children is much different than the response I received. My teachers would write on my report card, "Child doesn’t pay attention." This was written in bold letters, as though I was committing a horrible offense. I, however, understand dreamers. Since I am the teacher, and these are my children, I let their minds wander. Day dreaming provides a break from stress or tedium. It also unleashes creativity and allows the imagination to flourish. We don't usually allow time in the day for playing and creating. Instead, we emphasize mathematics and writing. But, in those moments of mental escape, a person can transform himself to be anyone, or anywhere, he desires.

Yet, there are times when day dreaming can be a distraction. I must also admit that at times, I find it irritating. In the middle of a math lesson, a blank look will appear on my son's face. I will have to remind him to focus. My reminder usually causes him to snap back to the problem at hand. Since I know my children are prone to day dreaming, I generally do not leave them alone with instructions to finish their schoolwork. I usually need be sitting nearby, gently reminding them to keep focused. This is frustrating because I have so many other things that I need to do. Yet, as my annoyance begins to grow, I have to chuckle about my day dreamers.

If it seems that there is more dreaming than schoolwork going on, I change up our routine, or call for a break. Generally, when we return to our books, my children are more attentive to their studies. But still, when I catch my kids day dreaming, I am reminded that without the luxury of day dreaming, life would be dull and uneventful.