#LifelongLearning At this time of pandemic the biggest challenge is on how to engage our children in meaningful activities with all the limitations in place.
The question is how do we engage our children in creative, innovative, fun, challenging and educative activitivies without going to school?
Today, I had an opportunity to observe my daughter Debrah Kintu (4yrs) operating the DSLR camera after introducing her to the basic steps #SkillsTransferStartAtHome
" It is not what you say to your child that matters most, but what matters most is how you say it and the actions that follows" - Wilson Masaka
Tips:
My diary, crown it if you like it! Below are some of the very basic but important ways towards children's development that you you can engage your children (4 - 8 years) without having teaching qualification or experience are as follows:-
- Drawing and painting.
- Storytelling (How to tell a great story).
- Simple, fun and educational apps on your smartphone.
- Photography using your smart phone and editing using the apps.
- Simple questions and answers time can be general knowledge, religion etc.
- Patterns, puzzles etc you can use available resources.
- Singing and dancing together.
- Maintaining high level hygiene
- Inculcating the saving culture. Don't think sweets and how to spend think on how to save that one coin.
- 10. Manners, respect and discipline (values).
This can be introduced through simple mobile apps, taking your time to personally guide them and time for watching educative TV show like Akili Kids. After all is said and done be a good listener and observe a lot. It is ok for the kids to make mistakes for example not drawing the perfect picture, what matters most is how you will explain the mistake and guide them to the ideal picture. #Feedback
No child is born stupid, as a parent you have the opportunity to make your children the great and you can either break or build your children confidence and self esteem through what you say, how you say it and the actions that follows.
Just note, what works for me might not be the same for you but all of us can deliberately invest in time to listen, observe and engage our children in a meaningful ways despite our current challenges with the advent of pandemic or general life status.
I'm not perfect, I do have my challenges too and still learning as a young parent but whenever I get that opportunity to engage the little ones I give my best. Off course, there are many other ways just find the best routine that fits your lifestyle and give your best because children might not be in a position to make those choices on how they can spend their time.
Happy parenthood and parent good!
