Parents have had to stand up this year and get directly involved with their children’s education in ways that they haven’t had to in a long time, and it’s important that we take the lessons that we have learned as parents and continue to teach at home.
There is so much that a child needs to learn, and there aren’t enough teachers nor hours in the day for a school to get through everything, especially not with the focus and dedication that every child needs.
Thankfully there are many great ways to make your home a positive learning environment so that it is easy to teach them the essential and emotional skills they will need to carry them through their lives.
We learn something every day. Sometimes what we learn is small; other times, we learn big, life-changing things. Everything we learn, big or small, is important for our development, and you can easily improve your home to make it more educational with this guide:
Invest in Learning Subscription Services
There are so many subscription services out there available today. Book subscriptions, spa subscriptions, tea subscriptions – the list just goes on. What you may not be aware of, however, is that there are learning and craft subscriptions as well. This is a great way to introduce your kids to new activities regularly so that they can try out new things and get a taste of what they can do.
Of course, whenever you invest in a subscription service, you want to get the deliveries and parcels you are sent. Porch pirates have become a serious issue in recent years, and the solution is very simple: have a smart parcel box. These boxes come in various sizes from iLoveParcels, and they work like a secure mailbox designed specifically for larger deliveries. These boxes work to keep thieves away and keep your deliveries out of the elements, making them perfect if you don’t have a porch or are worried about rain or snow.
Connect Your Kids to the Natural World
We all need to be a bit more connected to the natural world. Learning how to do things by hand, even if they are skills not used by everyday households for decades, is actually very important and can be so much fun as a family.
The best way to start is by growing a garden. This can be done inside with just a few herbs, or it can be done in a vertical garden on a balcony if you don’t have a backyard. The point is to teach your children about where food comes from and about the effort and care that is essential to nurturing food to grow from a simple seed.
Other ways that you can teach your child about the natural world include doing things by hand. You don’t need to always do this, but it does connect children to the processes and the how behind many of the things we today take for granted.
From churning butter to making paper, there are so many things you can do with your kids. They are fun to try, but more importantly, will help your kids appreciate even the little things in their lives so that they don’t take anything – even a single sheet of paper – for granted.
Essential Cooking Skills Made Easy
Cooking is one of the most important life skills that, unfortunately, is now entirely on parents. If you don’t have the time, but you do have the funds, then you can, of course, get started with this step by signing up your children up for kids cooking classes, but for the best results, it’s a good idea to just bring them into the cooking process.
Kids can do many different activities as they grow up, from helping sort or pass you ingredients when they are young, to mixing, to finally cutting and frying. You teach your kids how to cook healthy meals, and not only will they have the skills to stay healthy when they finally move out, but they will also be more willing to try new foods and experiences. The fact that they can help you with cooking, later on, is just an added bonus.
Tip: for the best results, however, don’t make cooking something just one person has to do. Make it into a family bonding moment. If everyone at home were to help during dinner, for example, you can spend time together in a healthy, wholesome way.
Let Your Children Play
Time alone is very important for a child’s development, so don’t think that you need to be with them and share with them every second of the day. You can do this easily by just giving them a place where they can play along if they want. This could be a playroom in the basement or in their bedroom but essentially make it known to them that you can only come in if you are invited if they are in there.
This way, kids can play, use their imagination, and more on their own. It lets them work out the social rules they see in their everyday lives and work out essential skills on their own. What’s more, it gives them the ability to be by themselves. Some adults today don’t know what to do if they are alone without a task. These people may find they are often bored because they just cannot handle being left alone with their own thoughts.
Giving your child the time to play on their own helps them be happy on their own. It may seem like a strange thing to wish on a child, but the fact is we will all be alone at least one point or another, no matter how many loved ones a person has. Being happy being on your own is the first step to loving yourself, but it is about a balance. By giving your child this space, they can choose how they want to spend their time without pressure.
Luciana joined our team as a mum blogger in 2020. A dedicated mum to a lively daughter and a dog, Luna, Luciana brings authenticity and passion to every post. Her expertise in parenting and lifestyle topics offers practical, relatable advice for real-life situations.
Such valuable advice for parents! Creating a positive learning environment at home is crucial, and your tips are practical and inspiring. From learning subscriptions to connecting with nature and essential cooking skills, these activities will surely benefit our children’s growth and development. Thank you for sharing!