329. Accidental vs. On-Purpose Learning

Are you wondering if you’ve done “enough” this year? What if the real question isn’t about subjects completed—but about the atmosphere you’re creating?

Melissa developed a simple framework to help her notice what was filling her children’s days. She called it the “Rule of Six”:

1. Living Books – Rich, engaging books written by authors with passion and depth.
2. Encounters with Beauty – Art, music, and nature woven into daily life.
3. Meaningful Work – Household responsibilities and academic efforts that truly matter (not busywork).
4. Imaginative Play – Unstructured time for creativity, games, and exploration.
5. Big Ideas to Ponder and Discuss – Narration, conversation, and reflection on what’s being learned.
6. Reflection – Ending the day with gratitude, prayer, or thoughtful review.

This week, we revisit this concept as a method of filling our children’s days with living books, beauty, meaningful work, imaginative play, big ideas, and reflection. From accidental learning to on-purpose instruction, we explore how to balance immersion with explicit teaching—so our kids gain both joy and skill. If you’re feeling that mid-year wobble, this conversation will help you notice what’s thriving, what’s missing, and how to move forward with clarity.

Resources:

1. Read about Melissa’s Rule of Six
2. Discover our favorite readalouds and nonfiction in the Brave Writer Book Shop
3. Brave Writer class registration is open!
4. Visit Julie’s Substack to find her special podcast for kids (and a lot more!)
5. Purchase Julie’s new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing
6. Find community at the Brave Learner Home
7. Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs
8. Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention
9. Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters, Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic, and Melissa’s Catalog of Enthusiasms
10. Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more!
11. Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684
12. Interested in advertising with us? Reach out to media@bravewriter.com

Connect with Julie:

1. Instagram: @juliebravewriter
2. Threads: @juliebravewriter
3. Bluesky: @bravewriter.com
4. Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter

Connect with Melissa:

1. Website: melissawiley.com
2. Substack: melissawiley.substack.com
3. Instagram: @melissawileybooks
4. Bluesky: @melissawiley.bsky.social

Produced by NOVA