* Your Child’s First Teacher, You

written By Caroline Carr
 

Parents are a child’s first and most influential teachers. The lessons children learn from their parents in regard to values, love, faith, security, self-image and academics shape each child in countless ways. Most of this learning takes place long before a child reaches school age. In fact, humans learn more between the ages of zero and five than they do for all the rest of their years combined.

Brain development in the early years affects all later achievement and ultimately the direction of our children’s lives. The more experience children have with love, safety, security and positive relationships with adults, the more receptive children are to forming synaptic connections in the brain and to learning in general. Many simple things can be done to get your little one off on the right path.

The more young children speak and are spoken to by adults, the earlier their abilities with speech and language develop. Talk to your new baby often and later make conversation with your toddler and young children. Read lots of books. Not only does this model a respect for reading, but it also provides an additional opportunity for adults to interact with children using language. Language and communication skills form the foundation of later success with interpersonal skills and all academics.

Children also need to have opportunities to play and be active. This isn’t only a factor in reducing childhood obesity. Research has shown that the more physically active a child is, the more synaptic connections are made in the brain that support later learning in a multitude of subjects, such as math, science, music and more. Simply stated, young children’s brains are hard wired to learn through play activities. Babies need lots of time to develop muscle control and to creep, crawl and explore lots of textures, sights and sounds. Toddlers and preschool children need as many materials as possible for creative play – like blocks and dress up clothes. These materials and toys don’t have to be expensive. In truth, making a fort out of a cardboard box can provide much more of a high quality creative experience than any kind of electronic game or any kind of screen time.

Even the formation of self-concept and self-esteem begin in early childhood. Research has shown that children who receive positive guidance and hear positive messages from their parents during their earliest years are far more likely to have a positive self-concept, complete high school and go to college. When misbehavior happens (as it will) treat it as an opportunity to teach your child what to do instead. Focus on the positive. If a child does something wrong, they are communicating with you that they do not yet have the skills to do it differently. Teach them what you want them to do. Be the person you want them to be. Set the example and be prepared to repeat those lessons often. Children will need to have the same information repeated many times in order to truly incorporate that information into their behavior. Patience and a positive attitude will go a long way to raising a child who feels loved and respected.

Overall, the importance of parents in learning and self-concept can’t be overstated. Children’s experiences with their parents truly provide children with the foundation they will build upon for later success. The more quality care and purposeful opportunities we offer our children, the happier, healthier, and more successful they will become as adults.

Caroline Carr is an Education Coordinator at HRDC Head Start.