The Subtle Art of Taking Time for Teaching

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”

— Benjamin Franklin

Is it just me, or are you also looking for ways to develop skills and/or introduce new skills to your children over the summer?

Summer should be fun, but who says learning can’t be fun too? With the right approach and balance, it absolutely can be.

While it's tempting to fill every moment with activities, camps, and playdates, there's a subtle art to incorporating learning and skill development into this season.

Here’s 3 Q-TIPS you can do to subtly incorporate teaching this summer

1. Crafting a Flexible Plan

• Start with the Curriculum

  Creating a teaching plan doesn’t mean rigid schedules and endless worksheets. It’s about having a loose framework that guides your child’s learning. Identify a few key skills you’d like your child to develop over the summer—be it reading, swimming, painting, math, or playing a musical instrument.

• Incorporate Interests and Hobbies

  Make the plan engaging by including activities that your child is genuinely interested in. If they love dinosaurs, a reading plan might include dinosaur books, documentaries, and even a trip to the natural history museum. The goal is to blend education with enthusiasm.

2. Implementing the Plan with Summer Fun

• Integrate Learning into Daily Activities

  The beauty of summer learning is that it doesn’t have to feel like school. Incorporate educational activities into your daily routine. Cooking together can be a lesson in math and science, while a nature walk can turn into a biology class. The key is to make learning a seamless part of their day.

• Set Aside Specific Times for Focused Learning Together

  While flexibility is crucial, having designated times for more structured learning can be beneficial. Hey, what if you did this together? This could be as simple as 30 minutes of reading before bed or practicing a new skill like painting or playing the piano. These sessions don’t need to be long, but consistency will help reinforce new skills.

3. Allowing Time for Practice

• Practice Patience

  Mastery doesn’t happen overnight. Children, like adults, need time to develop new skills. Encourage your child to practice regularly and celebrate small achievements along the way. This patience helps build their confidence and perseverance.

• Embrace Mistakes as Learning Opportunities

  When children are learning something new, mistakes are inevitable. Instead of focusing on perfection, encourage a growth mindset. Discuss what went wrong and how they can improve next time. This approach fosters resilience and a love for learning.

Remember, the goal of summer training isn’t to create experts overnight but to instill a love of learning and personal growth. By taking a thoughtful, flexible approach and allowing time for practice and mistakes, you’re helping your child build skills that will serve them for a lifetime. If a particular activity isn’t resonating with your child, don’t be afraid to pivot. The goal is to keep the learning experience positive and engaging.

As parents, we can model the art of patience and the joy of discovery as well.

This summer, let's slow down, enjoy the process, and watch our children flourish in their own unique ways. You never know, teaching could also be your happy hour. Happy learning!