How to be a sneaky parent and teach your kids without them knowing it

[moonglow]

Please contribute your own ideas too so we can learn from each other.

I have to say I am constantly surprised by how little children and teens know about what is happening with their own families. For instance a few years ago there was a neighborhood boy who's dad was in the hospital and he had no clear idea as to why. And through the years many others when asked about things couldn't answer because apparently there parents didn't tell them anything. This just baffles me to no end. Of course I understand certain things shouldn't be discussed with children for their own protection but I am talking about normal things. Some kids for instance are being bullied at school but don't tell their parents because there is no communication there. It doesn't even occur to them to tell there parents.

So first I think just talking with our children is extremely important. How can you have a relationship with your child if you don't talk to them?

Communicating with them is also a important tool in teaching. It can't just be Johny don't do that..Johny its time to eat, Johny its time for bed, etc. And when you ask, how was your day at school or how was youth group, etc and they just answer with 'fine' and you don't press for more, again leaves the communication dead. I will ask about specific things if I get the 'fine' answer. That usually gets Nate talking. lol.

Plus of course being Christian parents we need to be talking to our kids about our faith and using opportunities to educate them. For instance, if my son starts talking about a situation that happened at school or elsewhere, I can use that to relate to a bible story..and turn it into a lesson. Because my son had a learning disability his reading level was way behind other kids when he was young so alot of his bible learning came from these kind of discussions. Now he is older and his LD is no longer an issue and he can read his bible on his own, he already has an idea what the bible is about. (of course I also read from the bible to him also at times but he seemed to understand better if I just told him about things in it).

Another thing I have been doing as long as I can remember is use the TV (one example) as a teaching tool too. (I know we usually only hear how bad TV is especially for our kids..but hear me out on this). For instance being a kid, he likes to watch cartoons and kid shows. (of course certain shows/cartoons were not allowed). But every chance I get I put it on Animal Planet or the Discovery channel or anything that is educational. Kids naturally like animal shows...nature shows and that kind of thing. I would also show him news articles on different events happening around the world..discovery of new animals..etc and as he got older made him aware of natural disasters and the human factor involved. And in the mornings I have channel 26 on so watch the news in which he ends up watching until he needs to start getting ready for school.

Most kids his age haven't a clue what is happening in the world around them. There 'world' is them and what is happening to them and that is it!

Because I have done these things for years and years...without announcing it..lol..he has gotten what the LD teachers called a 'good base knowledge' which means by him knowing these things, when he starts reading a new book the concepts and ideas in it aren't something he has to struggle with on top of the struggle to read it. This has also carried over to helping him greatly in his science classes, in reading and writing and other areas. I am constantly exposing him to new idea, new information and he soaks it up like a sponge. I will send him video links to things about space, planets, etc. Now he is in the position when a new idea is introduced to a class the other kids are clueless and he is shocked they don't know this stuff. I find it sad though that these young teenagers are so clueless about the world around them.

As parents we have to take an active role in teaching our kids..which in turn helps them do better in school and in life in general. Also these shows, or news articles open the door for alot of discussions between us which again gives me teaching opportunities.

What I am not doing is saying Nate lets sit down together and I am going to teach you such and such. That would go over like a lead balloon. So I am sneaky about it...lol.

God bless

[teddyv]

I don't think we are yet at the point we have to sneak any learning at our oldest. She's only 4 so is pretty much asking questions and talking non-stop. I'm sure when it comes along later we'll probably follow along a similar path you described. I think my wife and I have diverse enough interests that she, and her brothers will hopefully have a pretty well-rounded understanding of the world around them.

[moonglow]

I don't think we are yet at the point we have to sneak any learning at our oldest. She's only 4 so is pretty much asking questions and talking non-stop. I'm sure when it comes along later we'll probably follow along a similar path you described. I think my wife and I have diverse enough interests that she, and her brothers will hopefully have a pretty well-rounded understanding of the world around them.

Oh I remember when Nate went through that..the questions were nonstop! I was overwhelmed at times. I had to look some things up on the internet...

God bless