This is a Guest Post written by Katheryn Rivas, a higher education writer, in which she details activities that incorporate both fun and learning for young kids. You may reach her at katherynrivas87@gmail.com.
From the moment our children are born, they are already studying the world around them. If you don’t believe me, try this: Sit your young child down in the middle of a room and carefully watch their eyes. You’ll see them gaze and let their eyeballs wander all around the room, meditating over the paintings on the wall, the colors of your furniture, and all the eccentricities that surround them. It is rather mesmerizing to behold.
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Even before our children are barely able to crawl across the room, we are often already ready to throw them into learning about math, reading, social science, and numerous other important topics. I talk with my own husband about whether or not it’s too soon to start educating our child about things he’ll eventually have to know, and we usually aren’t able to reach a definitive conclusion. In my mind, it is never too early to begin subtly educating a child – as long as it is within reason. I’m not suggesting you go throw your child into intensive learning scenarios; I’m merely saying that it can’t hurt to start integrating small, useful learning patterns and life lessons into their routine. For those of you interested in doing so, here are three easy ways to begin teaching your child at an early age.
Reading Out Loud
One of the most popular areas parents start out teaching their child is in reading. It is commonly believed that kids who learn to read in the early years of their life experience long-term gains in their future reading ability. It’s a skill that most kids will learn early on in their schooling, but some parents like to get their child started before they enter school. It’s important not to pressure your child to learn reading too fast, however.
Some studies have proven that doing so won’t help your child’s reading skills at all, so make sure to pace your child. Begin by reading to your child and allowing them to take it all in slowly. Also, don’t be afraid to stick to one or two books that your child is comfortable with or attached to. Over the course of reading, stop on certain passages or phrases you know or believe your child can say and encourage them to say them. If they aren’t ready, don’t pry; if they are, congratulate them. Remember, it’s all about pacing your child. You wouldn’t throw a short-distance runner into a marathon, would you?
Mathematical Thinking
Mathematics exists in our lives in ways we aren’t even aware. Our society greatly depends upon mathematics, so it never hurts to get your child started a little early on learning the roots of math. I’m not suggesting you sit your child down at a blackboard and ask them to add and subtract numbers; however, there are ways to introduce mathematical concepts and mathematical thinking into their lives without putting too much pressure on them. For instance, try asking your child to sort objects by colors, shapes, and sizes.
Also, have them identify various shapes and number groups, such as two triangles, one green square, etc. Another great idea is to introduce counting into your child’s daily routine, such as counting up to twenty and identifying number sequences. Furthermore, understanding mathematically comparative words, such as large, small, short, long, tall, short, empty, full, etc. will help them as well. With patterns like these, slowly but surely your child will be able to comprehend and utilize mathematics in his or her life.
Life Skills
As most of us know, life is not confined to the classroom. If you were to attempt to teach your child math and reading all day, you’d bore them to death and probably drive yourself crazy. Along with simple math and reading skills, you should also be teaching your child certain life skills. There are thousands for them to learn, and it’s equally fun and important to teach them things like brushing their teeth, saving money, setting the table, tying shoes, flying a kite, swimming, saying thank you, throwing a ball, dancing, and many other tasks. So when you or your child grows tired of math and English, try embracing a new list of things to learn. Conjure up your own list or utilize ones like this.
Parents often wonder how early is too early to educate their children. Too much pressure has no place in early childhood education, but it can’t hurt to start introducing some educational concepts to your children. Try utilizing one or all of the tips above and watch your child’s education evolve before your eyes.
Katheryn Rivas is a higher education writer and blogger. When she’s not digging and reporting about the latest online universities news, she can be found playing with her two Saint Bernards, Chica and Chico.
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