Your child learns something new every day. So do we! Here’s a fun way to find out what your child is learning: let them be the teacher.
Kids love being the expert. When you ask them to teach you something, they get to feel smart and proud. And you get a peek into what’s going on in that busy little head.
What it means for your child
Here’s how kids can “teach” at each age.
- Babies: Your baby teaches you, too: what each cry means, which song calms them, which toy makes them laugh. You’re both learning.
- Toddlers: They can show you how to stack blocks or where the ball went. Say, “Show me how you did that!”
- Preschoolers: Ask them to teach you a song, a game or a new word. Be a curious student and ask lots of questions.
- School-age kids: Big kids can teach you a math trick, a fact about animals or a game from recess. You might really learn something.
Try this tonight
Tonight, let your child be the teacher.
- Ask, “Can you teach me one thing you learned this week?”
- Be a good student: listen, try it and ask a question.
- Make a small mistake on purpose and let them correct you. They’ll love it.
Words you can use
- “Can you teach me?”
- “Wow, I didn’t know that!”
- “You’re a great teacher.”
At Nana’s Place
Children from 6 weeks to 12 years old spend their days, evenings or nights with us at Nana’s Place, in two Glendale buildings. The children teach us something new every day, too. If you’d like to meet us, come take a tour.
Questions parents ask
How can I find out what my child is learning at daycare or school?
Ask specific questions and let them show you. Songs, drawings and games they bring home are great clues. Asking them to teach you is one of the easiest ways.
What should my child be learning at this age?
Every child learns at their own pace. If you have questions about milestones, your child’s doctor is a great person to ask. At home, keep it simple: talk, read, play and explore together.
Learning happens in small steps, and every child blooms in their own time. Every day is a new chance to grow, like Nana said in Little hands, big dreams.
