practice in research, financial calculations,
English, grammar, and spelling.
Delight directed learning (DDL) is beneficial because it is directed towards each individual, unique, child. Each child is different
in personality, in their learning style, the goals
they have, and what makes them happy. Contrary to what some believe, delight directed
learning is not telling your kids to do as they
want for the day, with no goals planned, or
just play with no specific plans in mind. That
would not be considered delight directed, but
laziness directed schooling. And it would be
an educational roadblock that would hold
your child back in many ways, and further each day. That’s not good for anyone.
Delight directed learning gives you, the parents, an opportunity to plan an individualized
strategy geared to each individual child. This
doesn’t mean creating specific, detailed lesson
plans, or scheduling what to do hour by hour.
Ask yourself what “delight” means to you.
What is your definition of delight? What do
you want to learn about? Ask yourself that,
and then ask your children what delights
them, if you don’t already know. The Mer-riam Webster dictionary defines delight as,
“A high degree of gratification or pleasure
. . . extreme satisfaction.” What gives you
great pleasure? I personally find great satisfaction in writing, homeschooling, getting
my essential oil certification, and working
on a blog for my sister and her family who
are in Africa. In fact, my trip there this past
June and July was one of the most amazing
summers of my life! This is what gives me
great satisfaction. My youngest daughter
would say it is her guinea pig business. My
16-year-old son would say his new Shelil-lion puppy gives him great happiness right
now, as he is in training to be his best buddy
and to be obedient.
One of our daughters, her husband, and
their two young daughters, have a farm.
Our daughter loves her farm. And looking
out her windows, seeing her horses, goats,
free-range chickens, and other animals
gives her great delight! It makes her life so
full of happiness. She would not change
it for the world. It makes her nursing job
and photography business come in second
place. She is an excellent example of a delight directed learner, even as an adult! She
is 27 years old and is an incredibly happy,
loving, Christian woman.
Now that is true delight directed learning!
Kelly Benedict
Kelly Benedict is a 24 year homeschooling
veteran and mother of 9. She and her hus-
band are awaiting the birth of their 14th
grand-baby, all under the age of 10. She
and her family, only 4 of whom are still in
the nest, live in a tiny country town in Iowa.
She writes lesson plans for TOS, and spe-
cializes in Charlotte Mason’s theories and
philosophies after a year of college through
True North, and using CM’s methods over
the years. Read her blogs at blessedcountry
mama.blogspot.com, and personaljourney
tocmhomeschooling.blogspot.com.
www.TheOldSchoolhouse.com Delight Directed Learning • Fall 2017 69
Each child is different in personality, in their learning style,
the goals they have, and what makes them happy.
