Lessons from Laura: Teaching Generational Life Skills

By Holly Giles | Family

pioneer curriculum lessons

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We can learn an incredible amount of life skills lessons from Laura Ingalls Wilder. Laura may have lived a generation ago however, her forward-thinking makes her a modern-day mentor.

Mary Beth and I sat down and talked about what we can learn from the pioneers of the past and bring into our modern-day life skills. Listen in here

 Living Simply

(4:45) ” I am beginning to learn that is is the sweet simple things in life that are the real things after all.” Life doesn’t have to be complicated. We have fallen victim to having to entertain our children which causes the “I’m bored!” syndrome.

Hard Work

(8:10) Teaching alongside our children will give them a greater sense of self and build character. Chores and life skills are a big part of growing up.

“Every job is good if you do your best and work hard, a man who works hard stinks only to those who have nothing to do but smell.”

Family

(10:15) The family was the heart of the pioneer days. They relied on each other for survival, social activities, food, and shelter. A reference and description of the sugaring off party in the first book, Little House in the Big Woods brings thoughts of close family gatherings.

“The true way to live is to enjoy every moment as it passes, and surely it is in the everyday things that the beauty of life lies.”

Mary Beth and Holly get distracted by the chicken channel.

Use What You Have

(17:00) Making do with items around the house or garage can curb the throwaway society mentality. Check out Holly’s back porch chandelier and re-use of a chicken waterer. Although we love convenience at times.

mason jar

Love

(22:00) “The real things haven’t changed.”  Love never changes, Laura loved big and loved to share her knowledge. Love means family.

(25:55) Mary Beth and Holly reminisce about the pioneer day and how reading the series has had lasting effects in both their homes for many years.

After the Lessons from Laura talk, Mary Beth chats with Hannah Kartegener, one of the guests at pioneer days.

This episode was inspired by Pioneer Day which was based on the unit study, Prairie Life by Holly Giles. 

lessons laura


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About the Author

Holly Giles is a wife, mother, and storyteller. As an author and Florida Master Naturalist, she writes about heritage homemaking skills, motherhood, and why Florida offers the best hidden natural gems to explore as a family.