Mike Smith:
Alicia, you said you adopted from an institutionalized Christian orphanage in war-torn Liberia, and this caused your adopted children to miss out on some foundational learning skills—can you explain this further and tell our listeners how you addressed this issue in your homeschool?

Alicia Ahlers:
Primary life skills are really things we often take for granted with our homeschool children. Things like learning to be a part of the family and live in a home, the ability to take initiative in your own learning process and have simple problem-solving skills. An orphanage may not provide any of those basics and can serve to actually dull the child and rob them of their natural curiosity.

We had to help awaken the children’s interest level in life and nature while aiding them in developing their foundational thinking and analyzing skills. A few things like nature hikes, building projects, Legos, simple puzzles and games that required thinking, logic or strategy skills, served an important dual purpose in our home.

Filling gaps while working on family-sibling relationships and much needed character issues. Institutionalized children need to learn not only what it means to be your child, but more importantly, a child of God. Building those relationships must be a priority or any other academic education you give them will be in vain. This is vital, and will take lots of your energy, time and patience.

Mike:
Thanks, Alicia. And until next time, I’m Mike Smith.