I have never been sure of what children should, or shouldn’t know at certain ages and stages, but I’ll often ask my mum what she thinks. Her advice is to never pass on a teaching opportunity, and this is something that is always in the back of my mind. It makes me giggle inside whenever I hear her mention it, because it is something she is so passionate about, something I love about her, and something she loves doing with all of her grandchildren.
My mum said that we all learnt numbers as we walked past houses, we learnt colours using pins as she was sewing and we learnt letters using signs when we were out and about. I remember my older siblings helping me with my homework, I remember persuading my younger siblings to help me with my homework (for menial tasks like colouring and cutting) and I remember my mum hovering around us all. ‘Homework club’ in our home is a fond memory, and something I looked forward to.
Before having children I always imagined having a very minimalist house, full of green and cream (my two favourites at the time), plain walls and a few plants, but since having children I’ve realised that having lots of colour, objects from far away places, maps, posters, pictures and postcards makes learning a natural part of life. They create things to talk about, spark curiosity and make my life so much easier.
Sometimes I feel like I’m not a very ‘fun’ mum. I love making things with them, creating little activities for them, playing games, reading with them, building things with them and seeing them learn new things, but I’m awful at role play and being silly (amongst other things). My imagination? Well, it’s just not there. I’m a fun-loving person, but I can’t act and I can’t pretend. I just feel so awkward, and I’ve come to realise that it’s ok. They have crazy uncles, funny aunts, silly siblings, playful grandparents, and dad that couldn’t be any more different to me, so I feel like I get away with it.
I’ve been thinking about this a lot recently, as with Win starting school; Ru and I are going to have a whole year together before he starts nursery. I’m excited to rediscover all the things that I used to do with Win when he was two, really focus on Ru, and remember small activities that I found helpful. I’m going to be documenting a few of them on here, so I hope you like them.
E xx
Such great ideas, your mum is full of them.. I do know I will miss having a child to teach and do these things with, its demanding sometimes but a lot of fun. When they were littler I would do a lot of educational things, but like you I wasn’t 100% on what they should know when haha.
Have fun with Ru, look forward to seeing what you get up to!
Thanks M! xx
Aw lovely photos! We are in exactly the same position, my eldest is about to start school and the youngest will be lost without her. I’ve never even tried with the role play, that’s for them to play without grown up interference in my book. We go out and about a lot when I’ve just got one of them and I’m sure they learn a lot from that, the role play games can wait until they’re together.
Nat.x
Such a lovely comment Nat. I loved reading it – thank you! xx
So true, Esther. Your Mum sounds like a wise woman! And don’t beat yourself up about the role play… I was reading today that children need to play independently from adult intervention sometimes too in order to develop their own imaginations. My kids are often running round d the garden creating fantasy worlds of their own, and they all have an hour of down tIme every day where they have to amuse themselves! That independent play is just as important as all the activities we do! Enjoy your special year with Ru, and know that you are doing a fantastic job!
Claire, this is so wonderful and I totally agree with you. They have such a good time together playing dens, rockets and travel that I feel I am rightfully excused from them. Thanks Claire you lovely lady! xx