Make Your Daily Routine an Opportunity for Teaching

Make your daily routines an opportunity for learning. Here is how:

While driving along in the car or walking through the neighborhood, ask your child to name the things that he sees. Letting him direct you home will improve his memory. And he will become more observant.

When you're in the kitchen, kids can sort silverware, put away cups, etc. This teaches him or her to classify according to purpose and shape. When you cook, let him help you with simple things, like pouring the mixtures into the bowl, tasting and testing. This will help him develop his senses.

While doing laundry, allow him to sort and put away his clothes according to items. This teaches basic grouping concepts. Do items one at a time, so a bunch of stuff will not overwhelm him.

When watching the news, discuss changes in the weather. What kind of clothing you should wear, what life will be like for the animals outside, or what kind of plants will grow.

When taking a bath, talk about brushing teeth, combing hair, and other things that we do every day.

When he begins to talk to you, he is trying to have a conversation. Answer his questions as clearly and as simply as possible. Give him the freedom to manipulate his environment as much as possible.

Kids are little learning sponges, especially from birth to 5 years. They can pick up on anything even when you think they do not notice. They're just not able to communicate all this information as much as they would like to. But boy do they try!