The world is your classroom

It’s no secret that learning doesn’t only happen in school.
Parents can use everyday experiences to help their children learn, make discoveries, and solidify concepts without even realizing it — all in the comfort of their own home!

From making dinner and driving to swimming lessons to watching movies on a Friday night, each day is filled with situations waiting to be transformed into teachable moments. You just have to seize the opportunity!

Where to start
By talking to my kids asking them questions, taking advantage of certain moments throughout the day, and paying attention to their interests, I try to help them learn new things, see life from different perspectives, and get to know themselves a little better every day.

That’s no small feat, but I try to guide them as best I can.
I believe that fostering learning outside the classroom helps children maintain their extraordinary thirst for knowledge while also motivating them to do their best in school.

I spend most of my day asking questions!
Not just to see how my kids are doing, but also to encourage them to ask me their own questions. If the topic is open-ended, I’ll often turn the question back to them :

After gauging their response, I can build off what they already know. Then, I can clarify certain points in words they understand to help deepen their knowledge of the subject.

At our house, there’s no such thing as a taboo topic.
Yes, my kids know where babies come from. That is, I’ve explained it to them using vocabulary and a level of detail that are appropriate for their age. No, they’re not under the impression their little brother arrived via stork.

I believe it’s important to use precise words so that kids can express themselves more easily and build their knowledge on a solid foundation. This becomes especially useful when it comes time to communicate with others at school and outside the home.

I love that my kids are curious.
That’s why I try to never hold back when answering their questions, unless the subject is inappropriate for their age or maturity level. In those cases, most of the time I ask if they really want to know the answer, to which they often reply: 

The topic is closed, and we move on.

For me, discussion is crucial to any learning process.
It’s my hope that encouraging my kids to have debates and discussions at home means they’ll feel comfortable doing the same at school. My goal is for them to view asking questions in class as an opportunity to improve and broaden their knowledge.