I had the pleasure of working with Rachel for several years at the same school. Although she taught fifth grade and I was in fourth, I learned a lot from her (including line tag!) and frequently went to her for teaching ideas and advice. As a teacher, I appreciated how she was always meticulous and thoughtful about everything. She did everything with purpose and integrity. As friends, we bonded over our shared love of iced coffee and I especially loved how she was always so unapologetically true to her personal convictions and beliefs.
She is one of the most intentional parents I know, and is often one of the first people I think of when I find myself in a parenting jam. She’s a few years ahead of me on this parenting gig, and when I face mommy problems (“Someone is bullying my child!” or “My child is so clingy I can’t even cook dinner!”) I trust that she will have a well thought-out response to my dilemma. Given my respect for her as both a teacher and a mother, I am delighted that she agreed to write this post on “How Teaching Has Impacted My Parenting.” I know I picked up some great ideas from it, and I’m sure you will, too! -JoEllen
How Teaching Has Influenced My Parenting
A guest post by Rachel K.
Before I became a mom, I was a teacher. And the desire to teach my children and to set them up for success was there even before they officially made their entrance in to this world. I swear I purchased Hooked on Phonics even before my first son was born. And I remember crying (on more than one occasion) because I became overwhelmed just thinking about all of the things I was responsible for teaching them. However, as the weeks stretched into months and the months into years, I began to settle in to routines and put to use best practices from my own classroom. Yes. You read that right. Just like my life experiences shaped who I was (and how I was) as an educator, my life in the classroom helped to make me in to a better mom.
Best practice number 1: Routines and Rituals
My husband and I would swear that our strict adherence to routines and a schedule has been the source of a talk or two behind our backs. Even when we traveled to see family or had company in town, our routines and schedule rarely changed. Eating times, napping times, and bedtimes fluctuated by minutes, not hours. We didn’t skip baths or bedtime stories. We put our kids first—always. It wasn’t popular with others, but we have always been very much ok with that. Our kids (like the ones in my classroom) thrive on predictability. It provides structure to our day, eliminates fussing and tantrums, and makes bedtime a breeze. How can that be a bad thing? And listen. I’m realistic. As a teacher, I was subject to last minute assemblies and unexpected cancellations of library time. Life throws you those same curve balls. Now that our kids are 4 and 7, the occasional “late night” or bath time in the morning, may happen. But it is the exception to the rule and not the rule. Predictability generally prevails.
Best practice number 2: Make Learning Fun
My first son learned his ABCs and 1,2,3s by reading license plates. Even before he could walk, I noticed that he loved cars and trucks. When he began to walk at 12 months, I would take him around our complex and point to the letters and numbers on the license plates. Putting my own dirt and germ issues aside, I would encourage him to touch the letters and numbers. And before I knew it—voila!
We took walks in the rain so we could look for invertebrates, splash in the puddles, and discuss the water cycle. Daddy took them outside at night to show them the stars, talk about the constellations, and occasionally glimpse a planet. We did not water our vocabulary down. We explained big words and used them repeatedly so they would stick. I bought games like Candy Land to teach colors (and turn taking), Sum Swamp to teach simple addition and subtraction, and Money Bags so my children could learn to count money.
After we swim, I let my kids buy lollipops or licorice at the swim center. I carry a bag full of change and give it to them. They must first add up the cost of the candy, make the correct amount of change, and then give it to the cashier. They love it! I use songs, movement, stories, experiments, and a host of other things to capture their attention and interest…just like in my classroom. However, unlike being in a classroom and trying to figure out what excites 30 young minds, you get to focus on just your little brood.
Making learning fun can be as simple as learning how to cut (with a plastic knife) while playing with Play Dough or helping you measure out a ½ cup of chocolate bits and ¾ cup of milk for a recipe. The idea is, our kids have a lifetime of textbooks and drilling ahead of them. This is your opportunity to help lay a solid foundation without weighing them down.
Best practice number 3: Capitalize on Early Mornings
Little people get up early. It’s painful, I know. Getting up early was no less painful when I was teaching. And really, the reality is, once you’re up, you’re up (thanks to coffee and a child that is demanding your attention). So why not make the most of it? If you’ve ever attended a Back to School Night, you’ll notice a common trend. Teachers tend to teach their core subjects in the morning. Why? Kids’ brains are typically freshest in the morning, after a good night’s sleep. So, as best practice #3 would have it, I take (literally) 5-7 minutes, as the kids eat breakfast, to practice a skill with them.
At the risk of sounding incredibly nerdy and teacher-like, I do set goals for my kids (3 for summer and 3 for the school year). This helps me focus my attention and better set them up for success. Parents don’t often have much time in the morning with their kiddos, so having something specific to focus on is great.
Cards used for 5-minute morning enrichment
So what sort of things might you focus on in 5-7 minutes? In the case of my 7 year old, we typically practice spelling words or a few multiplication facts. (And because I keep things light and fun, as I am quizzing my 7 year old on his spelling words, my 4 year old prompts me to ask him how to spell his name and other words. How awesome is that? 🙂 By the way, spelling and writing his name is one of his current goals. Two birds. One stone. Love it!).
If you’re at a loss for what you might try with younger children, say 2-3 years old, here are some suggestions: practice singing (and maybe even signing) the ABCs. Practice counting to 20 (using cereal for this can be super fun—especially if they get to eat it after). Quiz them on colors and shapes.
Monthly magnet words
3-4 years old: Show them a calendar and go over the days of the week. Use letter magnets to write sight words on your fridge. Have them practice reading them each morning. Practice rhyming words in a game-like fashion. (Hat, hat, what rhymes with hat? Bat, bat, bat rhymes with hat. Your turn.”)
Learning materials from the dollar section at Target and the dollar store!
Ages 4-5: Quiz on what letter comes before/after a certain letter in the alphabet. You can do the same for numbers. Find a catchy song that practices skip counting (by 2s, 5s, and 10s). Practice the names and values of coins (and don’t forget to let them win/earn some coins as well).
Being a parent is demanding, exhausting, and exhilarating—just like teaching. And, just like teaching, it takes patience and practice. No one starts out as a great teacher or a great parent—good, maybe—but not great. There is a learning curve, and I fully believe that what you put in, is what you get out. So plan, play, and ENGAGE those beautiful little minds, and be prepared to be wowed by what you see.
4 responses to “How Teaching Has Influenced My Parenting”
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As an ex-teacher an now parent too, I guess I do a lot of these things subconsciously with my 22-month old. She loves trucks & cars too so maybe I’ll have to try the license plate thing! Right now we are working on counting past 3. She learned 1, 2, and 3 with Cheerios and would shout “twwoo!” gleefully when she had one in each hand. Food is a great motivator :). And I hear you on the routine…we leave early from stuff and it’s hard but my daughter staying up past 7:30/8 is not an option unless it’s a huge thing like a wedding! Routines are so important!
Haha that’s hilarious because my daughter is similar– she LOVES Cheerios and whenever I ask her how many she wants, she always picks, “TWO!!” like it’s the best number in the world! 🙂
Absolutely fantastic! Thank you, Rachel!
Agreed! =D