Your child's first teacher.

Your child's first teacher might well be the mostto be clear, understood and applied consistently
important teacher they ever have.but with some room for negotiation.
Your child's first teacher is of you the parents,Encourage your children to think about the future
grandparents, extended family, care givers.and there place in it. Their expectations need to
Your child's first class room is your home.be realistic but remember to encourage them to
The way the child learns is by the wonderfulstretch those expectations and abilities. They
abilities of imagination and curiosity. Humans areneed to gain the experience of satisfaction as
born with these abilities and are basic instincts thatsome of their expectations are met and some
help us all survive, learn, and succeed in aare left unfulfilled. They need to learn to stand by
competitive world.their decisions and sometimes this means
As a parent, you can switch on your child to thesacrificing fun now for benefits later or it is simply
joy of learning by encouraging their imaginationjust 'the right thing' to do whatever the
and curiosity at an early age. It gives them aconsequences. They need to find out what
great head start and stimulates the all-importanthappens as a result of decisions they have made.
desire to learn more.Do not be tempted to bail them out all the time.
Teaching and learning are not mysteries that onlyHere is list of some no-cost high value things to
happen in schools. They happen all the time whendo:
parents or the caregiver do things together withReally listen to them and pay attention to their
their children. Even if they are not doing thingsproblems, explain solutions, ask them if they are
together the child will be observing you andhappy with your suggestion and remedies.
learning by your example.Read to them and allow them to read to you.
It does not matter not how rich or poor orMake this a regular habit and a treat not a chore.
famous we are or how many years of schoolingKeep a bookshelf well stocked with different
we have had. What counts is what we say andtypes of reading materials. Discuss the daily news
do at home. When children can count on gettingwith them. Encourage them to use an
positive attention and encouraging kind words atencyclopedia and dictionary. Get them their own
home they will develop a greater sense oflibrary cards.
security and self-worth. This will help them doKeep a quiet and tidy area for them to study,
better not only in school, but also as they matureread and do their homework.
and grow to a confident adult.Tell them family stories who did what where and
It is all about communicating in a clear, positivewhen.
and wholesome manner. Asking questions andShare your favorite music, songs and poems and
really listen for answers is a no-cost high valuewith them. Explain why you like a particular track
thing to do.or artist.
Share our own experiences past and present.Limit the television watching. Watch television with
Recounting your childhood explaining how thingsthem and discuss the content. You can have
change and why gives them a time line and agreat fun making up your own 'better endings' for
sense of their place in history. Sharing your goalsexample.
and aspirations is also important as children tendLimit the time on games modules and computers.
to adopt our ideals this make a positive roleSet a time for "computers off".
model is essential.Go to festivals, museums and historical sites. Go
Establish realistic, consistent family rules,out exploring; learn about plants, animals and
boundaries and stable routines. Children need limitsgeography. Learn about different parts of your
set even though they will try to test these limitstown, city and country. Take a packed lunch or
time and time again. In fact clearly set boundariespicnic (let them help making it)
are comforting to your children making them feelEat together around a table enquire about their
secure. But to make such rules work they needday.