We Play to Learn

Babies and toddlers learn at am alarming rate. Every single day, no matter their developmental level they will do something or say something to absolutely surprise their parents and bring great joy to their hearts. I see it every single day with Annalee... how she no longer calls her peers "kids" anymore, preferring the ten cent word "children" instead. "Mommy, there are two children in this seat! That is funny."

 Yes Banana, but referring to yourself and your brother as "children" instead of "kids" was funnier yet.

So how do kids learn?  Well... most of it is environmental.  If you use "big" words instead of "baby speak" from the get go, speak to your children where they can hear you clearly and see your face, and you child does not have a delay or apraxia...I can guarantee you will notice earlier, more effective, proper speech.

We lead by example.  We might not always be the ideal example...but no matter what, you babies are going to emulate you.  If you vacuum a lot (like I apparently do) your kids are going to try to vacuum a lot.  If cooking is your passion; your child is going to be at the stove trying to help.  I have never met a preschooler who did not like to play house, cook, vacuum, play on the computer, pretend to drive, and so on... our everyday mundane tasks are the free-play dreams of our children.

Preparing your own children for their formal education is part of the parenting process, and absolutely your job.  You could sit with your preschooler all day and work Kindergarten level information into their heads for 6 or 8 hours at a time... If that is what works for you then I cannot judge it, but it is definitely not what has worked around here.   I do not advocate "doing nothing" either... as ignoring your children and leaving them to their own devices every single day is not a good idea.  What I like is a whole lot of free, imagination driven play time with lessons mixed in that the kids do not even realize that they are learning.

Today Annalee has been a teacher, instructing me and some Squinkies in a new, beyond my skill level space-alien math and geometry lesson with her chalk and fabric chalk board.  Annalee has been a mermaid during her second bath of the day (do not ask) and while doing so she learned the difference between a few marine mammals and fish.  Sharks are NOT like whales.  Do you know why?  She now does.  She then decided that she was definitely a mammal too.  Can't disagree there!  Currently, she is a hair dresser, for ponies...and as they sit at her station (a cute little vanity and stool, complete with mirror and drawer for all the goodies) she is signing to them, and telling them to sit still and that it DOES NOT HURT.

She is smart, she is learning, and even better yet...she is using her imagination, critical thinking skills to solve problems, and having fun.