Ask any city child where their meat comes from and most will say from the supermarket or butcher's. Some will say from the farm, cow, or pig for example. So I did a little survey and yep... the supermarket won!
Homeschooling families are a little different as their teaching methods, outings and experiences are varied which means homeschooled children are often at the forefront of education. As parents we want our prodigy to be smart, outstanding, sociable, creative and happy. Once you've taught your children to read and write they can achieve anything they set their mind to.
I am a firm believer of chasing children's strengths and skills which turns into their goals and aspirations. Eventually this passion or keen interest they have leads to their future job. If one enjoys what they do then they are usually happy. Of course there is a chance of more money to be made in other areas but money can't buy happiness. It certainly helps! But that is not the point I’m making here. I'm trying to show you the importance of teaching your children and the concept of teaching behind every opportunity that comes our way regardless where we are and what we are doing then and there.
Anyway, we all know where our piece of steak comes from but do your children know? Travelling around Australia I come across many interesting things such as this cattle truck that stopped at the Highway Inn outback roadhouse in the Northern Territory as you travel north to Darwin.
A dad and young boy (guessing 6 or 7) walking slightly in front of me had the following conversation...
..."What's in the truck dad?"
"Moo cows"
"Why?"
"They're going to the supermarket so you can eat meat."
End of conversation by the dad, the child showed no further curiosity and was quickly led back to the car.
Let's stop there...
It's not just any old truck, it's a roadtrain!
They're not just moo cows mate, they're cattle meaning these beasts can be cows, steers, weaners, bullocks etc.
They're NOT going to the supermarket just yet mate!
What really threw me was the fact that here we have a dad... an adult, with a huge opportunity to teach his child something while holidaying around Australia. Sadly it didn't happen as we walked past this impressive big smelly cattle truck risking getting squirted on while one of them 'moo cows' decides to relief itself.
The child was handed his ipad as he hopped back in this flash RAM of a car towing a massive 5th wheeler. I felt like screaming, grabbing the bloke by the shoulders and shaking the stuffing out of him... he was at least 6.5 foot, solid build... I simply let my frustration slip away. Another dumbing down situation, a missed opportunity. I find it hard to believe that the dad didn't know but perhaps ignorance is bliss after all. Maybe it was easier to stay silent for him than having to answer a question.
Roadtrains are great! He could have taught his son about roadtrains, the size, weight, volume, where they come from, what they carry etc.
He could have explained its load, where the cattle comes from, where they're going. There is so much to know about the Australian Outback and the Stations that might have interested this young fellow, after all they're travelling through this great country so why not seize that opportunity. As homeschooling families I believe we would have... well I sure hope you would have!
Photos and written work is my own.
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