Enrichment

Enrichment is good for kids' education. It gives them experiences or knowledge as "hooks" on which to "hang" other learning.

And yet, is enrichment something that usually takes some amount of riches? Erin wrote this fall about how cool it is to be able to visit the local places they're studying about in history. Wouldn't it be fantastic if we could take the kids to visit the Great Wall of China or the Coliseum? But almost none of us can do that.

But what about even the activities that many people consider normal? Art supplies, horseback riding lessons, groceries for a monthly ethnic meal, music lessons, weekly gym or swim days, etc, cost money. A homeschool mom I revere often says that it takes either money or time (but usually both) to learn something.

So for those who must be frugal, where's the line? It's possible for homeschool moms to be "penny wise and pound foolish" when it comes to investing in their children's education. But when there's just not the funds, how do we squish in appropriate enrichment?