When we first wrote the book Teaching Parents How To Teach we wanted to come up with a title that would make it easy for people to find on the shelves. It needed to reflect what we were offering to parents and caregivers – an opportunity to support their child’s learning.
At Earlyminds we fully support the need for play and we are not suggesting that opportunities to learn should detract from any child’s learning through play and socialization. We are suggesting that as parents, caregivers, extended family and friends we should be participating in opportunities to learn. This does not mean always sitting at a desk in a formal learning situation, but it does mean using vocabulary and activities that have a multi-sensorial benefit for each and every child.
Raising children is one of the most important things we will ever be involved in, and preparing our children for a successful transition into school and their community begins at a very early age.
We are not asking parents to take the place of ‘Teachers,’ in fact the teaching a parent does should be nothing like the learning that goes on in the classroom. It is about finding stimulating opportunities to learn in everyday activities.
We want to express the importance of your participation in your child’s learning and encourage you to take the opportunity to explore different learning opportunities:
Social activities
Reading stories together, Playing with other children, Visiting the park & playground, Library, Picnics, Tea parties, Singing, Dancing …
Environmental activities
Nature walks, Gardening, Planting seeds and bulbs …
Independence activities
Baking, Setting a table, Spreading preserves & making sandwiches, Putting toys away, Folding clothes …
Creative activities
Arts & crafts, Painting, Drawing, Playdough, Clay, Paper mache, Collage, Sculpture, Cutting, Gluing …
Fine and gross motor activities
Threading, Sewing, Pouring & spooning, Building, Catching a beanbag, Kicking a ball, Riding a bike …
Imagination activities
Dressing up, Puppets or dolls, Storytime …
The lists of activities are endless. We would like you to visit our website and blog page often to check out the different ideas and experiences we have in store for you and your child. Enjoy experimenting with ideas of your own.
Playing and participating together helps your child to connect with their environment in a meaningful way. It helps them to understand concepts, master new skills, create new experiences, resolve problems and develop a positive attitude to learning.
Creating opportunities to learn independence, understanding how they learn, willing to experiment and take chances, build self esteem, increase social participation, will all help your child to become a well rounded and confident participant in their world.