When education is an experience of fun, it arouses the desire to learn in the child.
Education is not limited to the books and is not confined to classrooms. Infact when children touch, see and experience, learning becomes not only easier but also much more fun. Make learning a part of your child's daily routine so that he becomes knowledgeable as well as street smart.
Learning at home: Steam from the cooker, the timer on the microwave, that smoke from the freezer, why the taps have a 'c' and a 'h', why the duck floats while the elephant sinks in the water tub and so on. The kitchen, the bathroom, the drawing room are great places where the child develops a questioning mind and get to know facts.
Learning while shopping: In the super bazaar, ask your child to pick a few salad vegetables, buy the fruit that is red in colour, ask him which fruit has a sour smell, ask him to guide you to kids section and just see how your child starts observing things around him.
Learning while going out: The red light, the bill boards, different shaped swings at the park, the lifeguard, the tube at the swimming pool, the cutlery in the restaurant can give your child insights into different things.
Learning during visit to the hospital/ doctor: Talk to your child about the tools of the dentist, the adjustable beds, role of the nurse and the chemist, why some medicines are liquid while some in tablet form. The dull visit can become a platform for great learning.
Learning while on holiday: Why there is sand on the beach, why waves come and go, why trees are conical in shape on the hill station, what is fog? Holiday can certainly render knowledge besides giving pleasure to your child. Every possible place or experience can be a source of education if you encourage your child to explore, observe and question.
For your parenting related queries, write to the renowned parenting expert Sudha Gupta at
sudhagupta@mothersprideonline.com Selected questions will win 'Celebrate Childhood' by Sudha Gupta. HAPPY PARENTING Click below for more articles
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