Have you ever thought about what you are teaching your children? I don't just mean teaching them right from wrong, to use good manners, and how to tie their shoes (although those things are of course all important). I mean actually teaching them things that will be in their schooling curriculum.
My father was a teacher, and a wonderful one. He was also the principal of many rural primary schools, but because they were always small schools (I started in a school with around 25 children), he always had a class to teach as well. Dad was my teacher for grades 5, 6 and 7.
So maybe, now that I am a parent, that makes me think a bit more deeply about the different aspects of learning?
Anyway, the point of this ramble is that we did the grocery shopping yesterday. It helps to keep Naomi entertained if she can hand me the eco bags that we have, for our fresh produce. As we get each fruit and vegetable, we talk about what it is, how we can cook it (home economics!). Then Naomi gives me a bag, and we name the colour of the bag (art!). We also discuss which size bag she needs to give me, to fit each product (spatial concepts, problem solving). We count out each item, and how many bags she has left at the end (subtraction, mathematics).
I only really thought about this yesterday - so many grown up concepts, packed into one simple and entertaining activity, for our Miss Nearly 3.
What do you do, to teach your little children daily, either formally or informally?
Hurricane Nicholas and the Generosity of Friends
3 years ago
I don't have any kind of formal teaching yet, but I think I will start next year when Sarah Beth is four. We are working on numbers and letters, but just as playtime.
ReplyDeleteHi Sasha, What a great job you're doing. I've always felt that engaging the children during the walk around the supermarket is so important as regards stopping them from getting bored if nothing else but shopping certainly does present the perfect opportunity for all kinds of learning. Bx
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