Teachable Moments

by Myra Turner | More from this Blogger

One of the reasons I feel Tyler is so smart at such a young age is because he has a thirst for knowledge. When he was a baby he was alert, watching everything I did, taking notes and sucking everything in like a sponge. Although I've taught him myself most of his life, I've never spent much time with flashcards and Baby Einstein videos. Instead, I've used a lot of "teachable moments".

Teachable moments involves no lecturing, or boring monologues. They can happen at home, while driving in the car, while standing in line at the bank-- anywhere, in fact. Here's two examples. One day about two years ago, Tyler and I were standing in line at the bank when he asked me what, "FDIC" meant. I explained as simply as I could what it meant. On another occasion, about four months later , we were looking at a downed tree when I asked him if he knew what the rings meant. He didn't so I went on to explain what they meant. Teachable moments.

Teachable moments are simply a way to communicate knowledge to your child in a non-threatening manner. I find that Tyler retains this information better than if I sit down and teach and then quiz him.

Every single time he asks me a question, I answer it or tell him I don't know but will find out and get back with him later. I hate to hear parents tell kids to "go on" or "why do you need to know that?". Nothing kills a child's curiosity more than feeling like they're bothering adults with their questions. I believe this is the reason many would-be gifted kids end up average students. Or worse, getting failing grades.

I have never made Tyler feel that way and I believe this accounts for his present academic success. He has a naturally curious mind and I try to feed it as much as possible. And it's also been a great learning experience for me. Every time I have to look up some fact in order to answer a question that Tyler posed that I didn't know, that's another opportunity for me to learn something new. What I love is when he comes back to me weeks later and talks about something that he learned during a teachable moment.

The good thing about teachable moments is you don't have to look hard for them, numerous teachable moments exist as you go about your day-to-day activities.

See also:

Talking To Your Kids About Drugs

Homework Clubs

The Survival Guide For Parents of Gifted Kids

Learn more about Myra Turner

I'm a proud mid-life single mom with an active seven-year-old son, Tyler.

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