A home for their hearts Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 We just started SOTW a couple of weeks ago and are loving it. We will be starting the first chapter next week. I found an eyewitness DVD at the library on prehistoric life that looked wonderful until I started reading the summary. I haven't watched it yet, but it is definitly about evolution and not what I believe from a christian stand point. What do you do when you run into these kinds of problems? Should I let my dc watch it, of course after I've previewed it? I'm a little concerned that it might confuse them. They've learned that God created man. How do you explain this the first and second graders? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue G in PA Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 as much as possible. That age is too little to really understand, IMHO. We've come across evolution in our science and history studies (both of which are Christian) that basically presented evolution as something that some people believe who don't believe in God the Creator. Honestly, my younger dc think it's preposterous that man could have evolved from nothing! Little children are impressionable so I treat those occasional references lightly (as in I don't give it much "air time" so to speak). There was a simple experiment in our MOH studies about taking a box of legos and tossing them on the floor to see if something new and fabulous was created...ala Big Bang theory. My dc loved that experiment...not sure if they got the point. Older ds and dd did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTMindy Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 that many scientists believe that the earth is billions of years old....etc. We believe that God created the earth, but we don't necessarily know how long ago that was. We think it was shorter than that, but honestly, we don't really know for sure. They will encounter this everywhere (museums, books, videos, etc...) so it is good to start talking to them about what you believe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 We don't do the Santa Claus bit, Easter Bunny, Halloween or evolution. I presented it all pretty much the same way-just matter of fact. We believe this because .... others don't think the same way and that's o.k. At that young age, that's all my dc needed to hear. Obviously as they get older, the discussions get deeper, and that's a good thing. I don't completely dismiss a resource because it doesn't line up with all my beliefs. What's the saying?..chew up the meat, spit out the bones? If the dvd has some good points, I'd show it, and just prepare them ahead of time for where we would disagree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandy in Indy Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 We don't do the Santa Claus bit, Easter Bunny, Halloween or evolution.I presented it all pretty much the same way-just matter of fact. We believe this because .... others don't think the same way and that's o.k. At that young age, that's all my dc needed to hear. Obviously as they get older, the discussions get deeper, and that's a good thing. I don't completely dismiss a resource because it doesn't line up with all my beliefs. What's the saying?..chew up the meat, spit out the bones? If the dvd has some good points, I'd show it, and just prepare them ahead of time for where we would disagree. This is pretty much what I do as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 as much as possible. That age is too little to really understand, IMHO. We've come across evolution in our science and history studies (both of which are Christian) that basically presented evolution as something that some people believe who don't believe in God the Creator.With respect, I don't believe it's accurate to say that no people who believe in evolution also believe in a higher power, even a Christian one. There is much diversity of opinion within the Christian world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 I don't edit everything. I do edit independent reading. I don't edit a Magic School Bus video that I am going to sit down and watch with them because I can hit pause and we can talk about it. Now that my DD is in 3rd grade, I simply tell her that "x" book has 4 references to evolution and I'd like for her to take note of them when she reads them and then we'll discuss it after she reads the book. With my Kinder, we still edit for content. I've talked to my children about why we feel it is important to take the Bible literally. I don't really think they are too young to hear that. Other issues are more difficult. For example, my children will really quickly pick up on a "millions of years ago" statement but they have a much harder time discerning a statement such as, "The alligator is one of the oldest animals." Uuh, well, we simply don't believe that but it is complex enough that my children won't catch it unless I point it out to them. Am I making any sense? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trivium Academy Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 God created. Fact. How? When? We do not know for sure, there are different theories and when you're older we'll explore all of them but for right now, just know God created and that God is above the world. We learn about evolution and creation, the little details can wait until they are older Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathy in MD Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 We've come across evolution in our science and history studies (both of which are Christian) that basically presented evolution as something that some people believe who don't believe in God the Creator. I know many Christians who do accept evolution. WE just feel that evolution is our best understanding on how God created life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelli in TN Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 that many scientists believe that the earth is billions of years old....etc. We believe that God created the earth, but we don't necessarily know how long ago that was. We think it was shorter than that, but honestly, we don't really know for sure. They will encounter this everywhere (museums, books, videos, etc...) so it is good to start talking to them about what you believe. This is my approach as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lauriep Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 Because Adam and Eve were created as intelligent beings and so in our family we deal with not only the age of the earth issue but also with the issue that humans started out intelligent and organized from the start, not primitive. Cave men were men who lived in caves who may have experienced a loss of technological know-how during a time of catastrophe, but were not less intelligent versions of humans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 Couldn't agree more, Lauriep! That is a huge issue for us. The idea that language evolved, that intelligence evolved. It is easy for kiddos to catch the "millions of years" thing and it is easy for them to understand why we don't believe we started out as monkeys. The others ways that evolution filters into our lives is so much more subtle and that is what we watch for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelli in TN Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 Because Adam and Eve were created as intelligent beings and so in our family we deal with not only the age of the earth issue but also with the issue that humans started out intelligent and organized from the start, not primitive. Cave men were men who lived in caves who may have experienced a loss of technological know-how during a time of catastrophe, but were not less intelligent versions of humans. This where books become easier to deal with than videos. Especially for younger children, who are more prone to believe everything they see on a screen. I don't think I have ever used any sort of video presentation that depicted the evolutionary view of early man. Well, except for those insurance commercials, but those caveman seem to have it going on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Bay Posted February 3, 2008 Share Posted February 3, 2008 Well, as one who was talked out of evolution while studying it (okay, just considered it logically and it didn't make sense), I let my kids see some things about evolution. As they get older, we look at everything with logic. One of our favourite CDs is Evolution: Relic from the Age of Myths that not only shows how evolution (and even intellegent design) is rooted in Greek philosophy (a few different ones) and discusses the intellectual climate that opened the doors for Darwin to introduce his theory (disproven, btw, so the theory of evolution has been patched) of natural selection. They watch Incredible Creatures that Defy Evolution (although we disagree with one part of his theology) which is narrated by a former evolutionist that my kids enjoy. We also look at different theological stances on creation/evolution (gap theory, young earth, etc, and their many variations). But mostly, we base our teaching on the Bible and explain that there are some things just not explained there. None of us was there to witness it, and macro evolution (speciation) has zero links. They know this, and about micro evolution (which, it can be argued, may not actually be evolution in it's pure sense, anyway). I'm a firm believer in teaching my children thinking skills so that they can handle the various things they're going to hear and read as they grow and when they're adults. My favourite university courses in my BGS were all about thinking--a methodology course in Advanced Women's Studies and a course most biology majors hated where the final was all about applying theory you'd learned in class. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Bay Posted February 3, 2008 Share Posted February 3, 2008 Same here. We discuss this, too. I think different children are going to respond differently, and some kids may do better not to hear these things until they're older, but mine love to discuss various things and so far are very solid on their Biblical basis. My 12 yo is learning to have good discussions on this, and can explain why she doesn't believe in evolution either Biblically or with scientific logic, and I think this will open doors for her as she gets older. Also, she wants to major in science, so I think it's very important for her to learn this now. But my 7 yo also is interested in dinosaurs, so it comes up all the time with him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie in Ma Posted February 4, 2008 Share Posted February 4, 2008 Life in the Great Ice Age and a really fun video that is still hugely popular here, Dinosaurs, Genesis and the Gospel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CookieMonster Posted February 4, 2008 Share Posted February 4, 2008 I havn't run into this yet, but a mom I know just said, "Guys, today we're going to read about what other people believe about how the world began. They don't believe that God created the Earth." When she started reading (from Usbourne, incidentally) her boys started cracking up. They couldn't believe how "silly" some people could be. They kept saying, "But, Mom, that's not the way it happened!" They were in second grade and Kindergarten. And they totally grasped the difference. So I don't think your kids are too young at all. Of course, my friend had already laid the groundwork by telling her children, more than once, what the Bible has to say about Creation Week. If you are looking for more creation friendly resources to use as a supplement to your study, you should check out http://www.answersingenesis.com. They have DVDs, CDs, and books, and even some curricula, all geared toward children. HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomofSeven Posted February 4, 2008 Share Posted February 4, 2008 We've ordered several of their videos for kids. My dc (ages 4-9) all love them. I've learned so much from them. The best part of them I think is that they equip my dc to defend their beliefs. I still let my dc watch Eyewitness videos and read library texts (all which push evolution), but my dc know now how to respond and think through the evolution propaganda. We started with Dinosaurs in Genesis, it's a two part CD and I think it's less than 15$. Mydc watch it at least once a week. AIG also has some great books. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OH_Homeschooler Posted February 4, 2008 Share Posted February 4, 2008 I, too, think it's a little harsh to tell kids that people who believe in evolution don't believe in God. Scientist and Christian are not mutually exclusive categories. I think it's a disservice to tell kids that, IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirty ethel rackham Posted February 4, 2008 Share Posted February 4, 2008 With respect, I don't believe it's accurate to say that no people who believe in evolution also believe in a higher power, even a Christian one. There is much diversity of opinion within the Christian world. Moira, Thanks for bringing this up. We are devout Catholic Christians. We believe that God created EVERYTHING. However, we do not believe in a literal interpretation of Genesis. It is highly offensive to say that people who don't take the Bible strictly literally are not Christians. I think this is very divisive. It has been very hurtful to my family to hear other Christian homeschoolers tell my children that they can't be Christian if they do not believe the as they do. Blessings, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A home for their hearts Posted February 4, 2008 Author Share Posted February 4, 2008 We've ordered several of their videos for kids. My dc (ages 4-9) all love them. I've learned so much from them. The best part of them I think is that they equip my dc to defend their beliefs. I still let my dc watch Eyewitness videos and read library texts (all which push evolution), but my dc know now how to respond and think through the evolution propaganda. We started with Dinosaurs in Genesis, it's a two part CD and I think it's less than 15$. Mydc watch it at least once a week. AIG also has some great books. Good luck. Thess sounds great! Where can I take a closer look at them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Bay Posted February 5, 2008 Share Posted February 5, 2008 Agreed. While I take a more literal interpretation of Genesis, I've come across this in other theological areas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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