How to Teach Your Child

How to teach a child? I think you don't have to teach her. You just have help her EXPLORE, EXPOSE and EXPERIENCE. From there, learning will take place.  

Before Mav, I used to think that the best way     to raise a child is by teaching her everything. I told myself before that at an early age, I will teach her how to read, how to write, how to count numbers, how to tell the colors and how to tell the shapes. I imagined myself teaching her how to play the piano or play the guitar, even the violin. I promised myself I will make sure that she'll learn to dance ballet, or sing the highest melody.

But everything changed when Mav was born. Thanks to social media, where I learned a lot. Had I not read about numerous  principles of parenting and child development, we could be teaching Mav, instead of exposing her. Perhaps, you can also consider the difference. You can do good, but there is always a better way. 

Good: Look at these letters, say A, B, C.... What letter is this? This is A, B, C... Let's sing the alphabet song. This is A.. apple. Say it. A...a...apple.

Better: Just display the letters around the house. This way, you are already exposing her to recognize and be familiar with the alphabet. Sing the alphabet song and phonics song consistently, without telling her to sing with you. You can do this while giving her a bath, while putting her to sleep, while breast/bottle feeding her, or during playtime. 

Good: Let's count. 1...2...3... (while pointing at the numbers) What number is this? This is one. Say one. 

Better: Wow! You have two balloons. One, two! Look, there are many cars. One, two, three....

*Our kids must not just recognize or memorize numbers. They must also understand the concept.

Good: Look! (pointing at the a certain page of the book you bought to teach her about colors.) This is red. What color is this? 

Better: You are wearing a pink dress today. Nanay's shoes are white. This mango is color yellow. 

Good: This is a square. This is a circle. (again showing pictures from books or flashcards)

Better: That clock is round. You have a square table. 

Good:Say, Angel of God...Repeat after me. 

Better:Just show her how to pray consistently. You'll be surprised at what she can do when she has already learned it.

*When we sometimes forget to pray before meal, Mav is the one reminding us to pray first. 

Children have very absorbent mind. They learn without us teaching them. If we want them to become prepared in life, we need to focus more on letting them understand the concept rather than recognition and memorization. This is only possible when we let them EXPLORE, EXPOSE and EXPERIENCE. Choose the better options because that is the best way to do.