Everyday Life Lessons

Some of the best lessons come from everyday life. Everyday experiences can teach our children, and us, so much. 

~ I discovered that I can insist that the children play while I have a quiet time. They complain and try to act up, but if I patiently redirect them and calmly explain what the expectations are, they will find something constructive to do. I also learned that I can be patient with them!

~ I was filling out a registration form today while A2 sat in my lap. She was able to recognize her name on the form and spell it. She also recognized my name. She was excited to see our last name and called it, “Mine.” We had a discussion about how family members share a last name.

~ A2 learned about the power of repentance and forgiveness. While we were at Mom and Me, our play group, A2 pushed some buttons that turned on the projector and lowered the screen. After a time-out, I made her apologize to the director of the program. Of course, she was promptly forgiven. It was difficult for her to apologize to another adult, but she discovered that she could do it and that resolved the problem. I think this is a powerful life lesson for her.

~ While playing in the pool, C4 learned many things. She discovered that she had to hold the watering can close to the container she was pouring the water into in order to actually fill it. She learned that the water splashes all over when you shake a container up and down. If you splash your friend without asking if it’s OK, your friend might get mad. Even though it is difficult to take turns with toys, my friends appreciate it when I share, and they even give me a turn with the tays. If you get water in your eyes, you will be fine. She discovered that certain toys float while others sink and if you add water to floating toys, they sink.

~ Before our nap today, I had the children independently looking at books, and I saw some interesting learning. C4 realized that she can read number books. She also tried out a few reading strategies we’ve been practicing including using picture clues and pushing the sounds in a word together to figure it out. A2 discovered that C4 can read certain books to her, and that it is fun.

Reflecting on the day, I see how much my children learn by simply living life!

Photo courtesy of christine [cbszeto]