Children are like sponges, constantly absorbing information. We need to remember this as we can take full advantage of this fact or we can ignore it and lose a valuable opportunity.
Use the outdoors.
While the weather is still cooperating, take your children outdoors. You can give them several science lessons. Show them the leaves turning on the trees and use this time to discuss how photosynthesis works and why the leaves turn color in the fall.
Look for different bugs. Most children love bugs and will take enjoy any opportunity to discuss them. There is so much to learn about bugs!
Have your child run around kicking a ball, use this experience to teach about cause and effect.
Lay down and look at the clouds, discuss the different types of clouds, why the sky is blue, etc.
If a plane flies overhead, use this as a chance to talk about how planes can stay in the air.
Watch people walk by, discuss the differences in hair color, height, etc. discuss how genetics work. Maybe someone is wearing glasses, what are some of the reasons a person may need glasses?
Use the kitchen.
Cook together. Not only is this a great bonding experience, but it is a great learning experience. We can teach fractions and addition using measurements of ingredients. You can discuss how electricity and/or gas works by discussing the appliances that refrigerate and cook your food. Teach organizational skills by looking for ingredients and appliances in your cabinets.
Show your child how the freezer freezes water into ice.
Discuss why the water goes down the drain in the direction it does.
Discuss why we wash the dishes, the germs that can be left behind by certain types of foods, etc.
Use your child's playroom.
The opportunities for learning from different toys, puzzles, books, games, etc. are innumerable.
The books teach reading and whatever subject the book may be about. Puzzles teach patience, spatial reasoning, coordination, etc. Games teach sharing, patience, counting, fairness, losing, etc.
There is so much more in everyday life that we can use as tools for teaching. But I think the number one thing to remember is that spending the time with our children and using these moments for bonding as well as teaching is the most important part. Remember, enjoy the time spent with your child and have fun!
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Tracy Catarius is the owner of Mattcmama's, a resource site for parents and Greatest Kid's books, a site devoted to children's education. You can visit these sites here: http://www.mattcmamas.com and http://www.greatestkidsbooks.com. She is also the editor of Kid s Education First newsletter. Be sure to sign up for this fr*ee newsletter at the site. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband and is the mother of one son with another child due in December 2003.
