Andi coloring

I am often asked about my teaching style with Andi. Specifically, what makes Andi enjoy learning and learn quick? This blog will attempt to answer these questions. And just a disclaimer, I am in no way an expert on teaching kids. These are merely things that I have learned along the way as I have tried teaching Andi since maybe she was born (or even before!).

These have worked for me, and I truly truly believe in them. So I hope that these will help you as well as you desire to be the best teacher you can be for your children. As I have mentioned in my blog a few months back, mommies are the bestest teachers. Mommies, your role is irreplaceable! You can check out that blog here: http://www.annamoran.com/?s=Moms+are+the+Bestest+Teachers”>

So here are my thoughts/tips on teaching kids:

1. Make a fun learning atmosphere! I think it is crucial to make every teaching moment an enjoyable experience for our kids. It makes them look forward for the next activity and it makes them want to learn more from you. I believe how and what you teach should evolve as your children grow and mature. But, generally we as parents can cultivate a love for learning in our children by making every learning time with them a special and memorable time.

My daughter Andi is 2 years old and 3 months as I write this. I believe that especially for young children like her, learning should be spontaneous and fun, and not rigid or too structured. One of the rules that I follow in teaching my daughter is this: I do not pressure or burden her to learn something. If Andi no longer shows interest or does not enjoy a specific lesson resulting in her not wanting to do it, I will not force it upon her.

At this particular age, I try to follow her pace. I offer an activity and see how she responds to it. I go on or stop depending on it.

So moms, laugh with your kids! Have fun with them. And encourage, encourage, encourage! I believe that we as parents can set the foundations early on for our kids to have a love for learning for the rest of their lives.

Andi Painting

2. Never underestimate their capacity to learn. When I was pregnant, I attended one baby class (I think it was called Baby101). They gave out a magazine and the cover said this: Babies are Smarter than you think. It explained how babies’ brains are capable of absorbing information, and even logic even at early stages of life. That kinda stuck on me. It became an inspiration to teach Andi early–in  fact the earlier, the better. And I just did that deliberately every single day regardless if I see results or not. I talked to her, sang to her, read to her, prayed for her, and I literally labeled everything I saw and told her about it. Eventually she started picking it up! And her language skills developed so early. Now she asks me about everything!

3. Teach as you go on with daily life.  Every moment is a teaching moment. I taught Andi how to count whenever we go up the stairs, as I would count with each step we take. I teach her manners as we speak and converse, I stress to her the words thank you and please. My husband and I correct and discipline whenever necessary. I teach her about the alphabet as we sing together. I teach her about colors and shapes as I see them around us. I teach her about prayer as I pray with her and as she sees me pray for other people. So maximize each moment with your child and make it something they can learn from.

4. Celebrate your child’s uniqueness. Do not compare your child with other children. Every child is different. I have yet to see another child exactly like mine. I do not think I ever will. That is why when some moms ask me why their child isn’t doing yet what Andi is doing or why their kids are not as interested in books or puzzles.  Or they wonder why their kids does not/could not talk the way Andi does, etc. etc… My answer is simple and is always the same: Because their child is not Andi! On the same light, I cannot in any way compare and I shouldn’t compare my daughter to any other child because her strengths, talents and gifts are uniquely her own. Google about Multiple Intelligences. Andi’s intelligences for example are linguistic (she speaks very well and she loves conversing), and musical (she loves music, loves to sing, and learns so quick when you teach her through songs & she can pick up a tune and sing it almost instantly). Having seen this, I often focus on what comes naturally for her (therefore reinforcing & honing her strengths) than force her to like and be someone she is not. So I encourage you moms/parents like me, observe your children and appreciate their uniqueness, and strengthen their gifts.

Part two coming up on my next blog :-)

Andi with cellphone