The title of this post is ironic because I spent 4 years and a lot of (mostly other people's) money learning how to be a teacher. The funny thing is I never really felt like I was that great at it. And now as a parent of a toddler and a newborn I often watch others take the time to slow down and carefully talk through and demonstrate something to my daughter in a way that I don't often think to do.
In recent days I've realized that teaching is essential to normal growth and development from a child into an adult. (Now before you say Duh! Captain Obvious!...hear me out.)
I find myself throughout the day saying to Kate:
"Please don't whine."
"Don't poke your sister in the face."
"Don't slam the door."
What I realized about these statements was that I was leaving out the DO part. I have the DON'T part down quite well and I just assume that Kate will automatically know that the opposite of whining is to say, "May I have some juice please," and the opposite of poking her sister in the face is using her whole hand to gently touch her...you get the idea.
So, I have tried to start making an effort to correct behavior with some instruction in what should be done instead of the behavior that I do not like. Kate and I often practice, "Mommy, may I have..." (More times in a day than I can count!!!!)
The same principle applies to AJ, our already 7 week old little bundle! Sleep is the number one topic for all new moms and yes we're still there...sleep deprived that is. But I can't get frustrated with AJ for not sleeping exactly when and for how long I think she should without a lot of patience and time put in teaching her (in some sense of the word anyway).
My point is this, it can be easy to discover and point out to someone what they are doing wrong. But it isn't always easy or natural to then take the time to explain what the correct way is. And lets face it, whether we spent a lot of money and time learning to be come state credentialed teachers or not, we are all teachers in one way or another. We most likely have someone who is looking up to us. Let's be sure that when we offer correction we clearly DEMONSTRATE and EXPLAIN the DO'S as well as the DONT'S.
