Teaching Time

The other day my husband and I were talking about how so many of the "words" we use were invented by our children or grandchildren as they were learning to talk. Some of the common words we use:

"eh-d'wing?" for "what are you doing?"
"oh -it's forecast" for "it looks overcast outside"
"ye me yone" for "leave me alone"
"bungle bees" for bumble bees
"woobie" for movie

All children go through the process of mispronouncing words as they learn to speak. These "words" will eventually be pronounced properly and become a memory or as in our family - a part of our family's language. Unfortunately, some parents become "hyper" about making sure their kids speak properly - even when their young mouths and tongues are not accustomed to forming new words. When you are in front of people - if your kids don't say a word exactly the right way - don't embarrass them - stress not! By and by, your children will learn to pronounce the words properly - and then you may even miss the cute way they used to say it!

Mom, though you are your child’s primary teacher, you should not feel that you must constantly be correcting them demanding perfection. Allow some time with your children to be just simple fun. You will undoubtedly see that your child has misconceptions about various things or see them attempt to do some things incorrectly - but if you are in the middle of playing, don’t stop playing to teach them right then and there, finish playing and enjoy having fun together first.

Later on when the time is appropriate, talk to your child and explain or teach them what they need to learn. Your child will always feel that they have to perform if you stop in the middle of what you are doing to correct them for every little thing. Their future success depends on their willingness to "try" new things - a child that is being micro-managed during the normal development process will become self-conscience and hindered from their full potential. Of course, if they need to learn something immediately, for their safety or their health, then by all means tell them right away. But if it is something like how to pronounce their "l's" or how to best cook a turkey, or how hot the sun is—let it wait. "For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little." Isaiah 28:10

It is amazing to me the way that children learn, but one thing I've learned is that in time they all will learn what they need to know.

Have a wonderful day!

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