When Teaching Children at Home

Consistency is important, especially for very young children, as it helps to reinforce what they have already learned, as well as avoiding confusion when new teaching methods are introduced. If you start by using music and rhyming songs to teach things like numbers, days of the week and colours, stick to that method when it comes to teaching more advanced knowledge such as multiplication tables.

Teaching is a skill, which is why teachers have to be trained for many years before they are equipped to handle a class full of enquiring minds. Parents may only have one, two or perhaps three young children to deal with, but many of the skills required to impart knowledge to youngsters are the same whether you are teaching just one child or 30.

In order that parents can also be effective teachers, there are three basic rules that all Mums and Dads should follow when it comes to educating children in the home, be consistent; be positive; and have fun. Remember these three key steps and you will soon notice that your child is picking up knowledge and skills from home as well as from school.

Kids will find it much easier to pick up potentially difficult concepts if they are already used to the methods which are being used to teach them; and thanks to the internet there are no shortage of educational resources if you are looking for inspiration ans ideas. After all, many teachers use the same methods year after year, with different classes, so there’s no reason why parents shouldn’t do the same.

Using fun methods like music and games is a great way to keep children engaged and interested in what you are doing – and they may not even realise they are learning at all if you make it lots of fun. Even just spending time with your child, doing something which they enjoy, can be educational too. You can improve their verbal communication skills by talking to them and encouraging them to ask and answer questions, while spending quality time together will also improve your relationship. Many home “lessons” happen because the child has done something that they shouldn’t and the parent has to explain or show the youngster why it was wrong. Lessons which are reinforced by negativity will not be learned as effectively as those which are taught in a positive way; rather than shouting at the child or punishing them, persuade them to think about why what they have done in not acceptable.

As well as creating a better relationship between child and parent, this educational method is much more effective than old-fashioned lectures and punishments.