On Monday, May 4th, Governor Murphy announced that New Jersey schools would not reopen for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. While this may have not been a surprise announcement, it still left students and parents a bit shocked, a bit emotional and a bit confused about how distance learning will work longterm. As a parent of non school aged children, I cannot speak to the impact that distance learning has, or will have, on mature learners. What I can say is that playing the role of "preschool teacher" (with excellent guidance from my son's actual preschool teacher) has taught me that despite all of my countless lesson plans, education does not have to be structured worksheets or endless reading lists. Education is personified through daily tasks, hobbies and dinner table chit chat. In fact, acclaimed author, Director of "The Children's Advocacy and Family Counseling Group" and Editor-in-Chief of "Holistic Parenting Magazine," LR Knost, said:
"Children learn far more by doing than by watching. So let them into your world whenever you can. Let them cook with you. Shop with you. Help a neighbor with you. Go to the voting booth with you. Plant a garden with you. Visit a nursing home with you. They'll learn more about life by living it with you than by simply watching you live it. Then join them in their world and play a while. You'll be surprised how much you'll learn."
I'm not sure about you, but the words "learn more about life by living it" really stuck with me. What better time then when we are quarantining then to educate our children on things that don't fit into the core academic curriculum. In doing so, and allowing ourselves to spend extra time amongst their perspectives, we as adults may find ourselves at the head of our "class" too!
Here are 5 ways to "learn life" today:
1. Invite them to listen in on one of your ZOOM conference calls. What a great way to learn professionalism and work place communication!
2. Welcome them to help you establish a monthly budget for the household. Introducing them to bill payments, as well as the use of credit cards, will teach them how to be financially savvy in their own adult life.
3. Encourage them to meal prep with you. This doesn't have to mean having them cook the meals with you, but rather plan out the meals for the week to learn about food compatibilities and the prevention of food waste!
4. Suggest creating a craft or treat for a neighbor who might need a smile. Kindness and compassion are character traits that will remain with your child for years to come.
5. Ask them for help with the laundry. Not only are you beginning to "off load" some of your chores, but you are also setting them up to be the laundry room guru in their college dorm!
