| v> | | | | while you prepare supper? What are the thought |
| Parents devote a great deal of time and energy | | | | processes going through your mind? You've had a |
| to selecting the right school for their children and | | | | hard day and all you want to do is sit down and |
| also often make considerable sacrifices so that | | | | relax but first you've got to feed the kids, so you |
| their children can attend college. This is great but, | | | | get them out from underfoot so that you can |
| in many cases, it can also result in parents | | | | get on quickly, get them fed and then finally relax. |
| neglecting the vital skill of teaching children at | | | | Many thousands of parents do this every day and |
| home. | | | | everybody misses out as a result. Why not try |
| Many parents put a great deal of effort into | | | | doing things slightly differently. |
| selecting the right school for their children, and | | | | First, you can start by getting the kids to help |
| often make considerable sacrifices to save | | | | you to prepare supper instead of sitting glued to |
| enough money to send their children to a good | | | | a mindless box. Sending your kids out into the |
| college, because there is no doubt that providing a | | | | world knowing how to make toast and not a lot |
| good education for a child is one of the best | | | | else isn't much help but getting them interested in |
| ways of ensuring a successful career and a | | | | cooking will provide them with a much needed life |
| secure and happy adult life. However, in many | | | | skill. |
| cases this focus on school and college results in | | | | Second, it gives both you and the kids an |
| parents neglecting another very important | | | | opportunity to talk - something which is missing in |
| element of a child's education - that of teaching | | | | far too many households. Letting your kids share |
| children at home. | | | | their successes and failures at school, simply |
| Day to day family life presents parents with | | | | listening to what's on their mind and letting them |
| dozens of opportunities to teach children things | | | | ask you about your own experiences and seek |
| that they will find not only interesting but also | | | | your advice is invaluable for both parent and kids. |
| helpful as the grow up and, despite the fact that | | | | What's more you'll be surprised how many |
| in many households both parents are busy people | | | | problems you can avoid simply by knowing what |
| with careers of their own, it's surprising just how | | | | your kids are doing, what they're thinking and |
| easy it is to make the time needed for your | | | | how they're feeling. |
| children if you spend just a little bit of time | | | | Thirdly, it's a great way to relax! Relaxation after |
| organizing your daily schedule. | | | | a long day at work doesn't mean flopping down |
| Teaching your children at home doesn't mean | | | | on the couch for an hour or two, it simply means |
| sitting down with them in a formal 'school-like' | | | | a change of scene. Putting your working day |
| setting but simply means thinking about everyday | | | | behind you and enjoying the company of your |
| activities and using these to provide the teaching | | | | kids is one of the best ways to unwind after a |
| materials you need. Teaching children at home | | | | long and stressful day at work. |
| doesn't have to be boring either and can be a | | | | There are literally hundreds of examples of things |
| great deal of fun for both parents and children. | | | | that we do every day at home that can be |
| One of the secrets lies in stopping to think about | | | | turned into valuable teaching lessons, helping our |
| what you're doing and to what extent your | | | | children to grow and develop and allowing |
| children understand your activity. For example, | | | | everyone to have fun at the same time. |
| how many times have you rushed home from | | | | Education is not just for the educators and there |
| work to get in ahead of your kids from school | | | | is considerable value for everybody concerned in |
| and then sat them down in front of the television | | | | teaching children at home. |