THIS week, let me share my thoughts on how a learning mindset helps us in seizing the active opportunity this quarantine period presents.
When we become a parent, it is common for us to feel overwhelmed. With so many things we’re told we need to do, we are almost always questioning ourselves if we are doing enough. I learned for myself a few years after giving birth to my first child that I did not want to always feel pressured. I did not want to look back at my parenting journey and say all I did was be afraid. If my goal for my child is to be happy and fulfilled, shouldn’t we as a parent-and-child team take each day at a time to find learning and laughter together? So, I made a self-declaration that “my child and I will build happy learning memories together!”
I also wanted something simple, time-friendly and effective. I knew from the outset that it should be expert-based. Through the years, I have also discovered that there is no one-size-fits-all formula because each child is unique and, we should love and respect our child for that. In parenting two kids for the past 14 years, what ticked all the boxes for me was one activity: Learn Through Play.
As shared last week, I have seen positive results with my own kids, both academically and psychologically, by having play as my foundation. I have seen them more confident, open to mistakes, bold in trying new things and, most of all, happy. More than this, the learning goes both ways. The more I played with my kids, the more I got to know them. I got to know what makes them smile the widest. I got to know how they reacted to difficult tasks. So, I also got to know how to support them better. Because the learning took place during play, we got to laugh a lot with all the fun and mess.
Later on, when I was taking my BS Education, I really wanted to find a way to build a happy and effective parent-child learning relationship. Below are some tips I recommend for parents during play time:
Safety is my top priority. I buy tools and toys from brands I know that follow US/Europe safety standards. Also, make sure you clean toys, play surfaces like tables and playmats with food-grade antibacterial cleansers or wipes. Playmats and activity blankets should be washed with gentle detergents.
Start and end each play session with washing both your and your child’s hands with gentle antibacterial soap or wipes.
For infants, sensory development is key. Look for objects that can stimulate the babys’ sight, smell, hearing, taste and touch. The three must-haves are a) an activity blanket or play gym that has black-and-white graphics; b) a mobile with black-and-white graphics; c) a textured rattle that can both produce sound and provide tactile stimulation when shaken.
For toddlers and preschoolers, it would be great to have your own learning centers. It is quite simple to do. I suggest a corner with toys, puzzles and books sorted in boxed organizers preferably clear or labeled. Then another side can be more nurture or pretend play like a play kitchen. Then, finish it off with a center table where your child can do arts and writing. An art kit complete with coloring materials is good for easy pack away.
For grade school kids, use your tutoring sessions or your conversations with your kids’ teachers to find out the concepts your child is having difficulty with. Don’t bring it up with your kids right away. I suggest that for your routine weekend game nights, buy games, puzzles or other toys that may help them gain interest in the concept. Ask advice from your trusted support system like teachers or parents with older kids for needed enrichment.
Remember that a few but “hardworking” toys allow better familiarity for kids, not to mention savings on expenses. That’s why I use a lot of Melissa & Doug toys for my own kids. The colored pegs I used when they were babies are the same toys I used to teach them to count, draw shapes and sort. So, when I used it to teach my daughter addition in her preschool years, I felt she learned faster because the toy was familiar to her.
As you do these activities, try to wear a learning mindset. Try to see how your child picks up the information. Does he or she enjoy looking at things, hearing things, or touching things? I realized when my daughter was three that she was more visual. When she had to learn songs, I would draw the words out and she would learn things faster. I also saw how I needed to improve on her auditory skills because it was difficult for her to absorb information without visual boards. For my son, he was more tactile. It always helps that he writes or draws on his own, and then we identify his drawing together. That’s how he learned his Chinese vocabulary. You can also join play groups like Casa Tykes or social-media communities that promote Learn Through Play.
Last, always remember to appreciate yourself and your kids for each play session by giving each other a tight hug and kiss after.