Why I gave up on early learning
Day three- Why I gave up on early learning
My eldest daughter could read and write perfectly well at the age of four. I used to take great pride in her academic abilities at such a young age. Alhamdulillah, God has blessed us with beautiful memories during those years. However, to tell you the truth, looking back on reflection, sometimes my heart sinks.
We had an army-style schedule to follow regimentally and we followed it most days. Don’t get me wrong, many of her learning took place through play. However, I remember very clearly the moments where we both got frustrated.
One day she showed no interest in a Montessori activity that I stayed up all night to prepare- printing, laminating and cutting. Ouch! Sometimes she was more amazed by a ladybird in the window rather than matching her phonics cards. Argh! And, often she wasn’t simply learning fast enough according to my pacing guide.
I got frustrated because I was trying to teach 2-year old to read, 3-year old to trace letters, 4-year old to write sentences. At five she was being pushed to do workbooks appropriate for 7-8-year-olds. Yes, I was using flash-cards, math manipulatives, cards for matching, sorting and listing. Yes, I was using building blocks, magnetic pieces and wooden knob jigsaws. Yet I often seemed to have become frustrated by her childishness.
Today, parents are spoilt with learning resources. You can teach any three-year-old to read, but you will have to work at it seven days a week. And when you stop, she may easily forget her phonics or spellings. Alternatively, you can wait until she is six and teach her then. Phonics, long vowels, short vowels, blending consonants– all those seemingly long procedures may take a week and your child won’t forget. Because there is a ready moment for everything.
If you are a mother on the path of early learning- this isn’t a post to discourage you. Rather this is a post to remind you that there is no point pushing your child when she shows no interest. Children aren’t in control of when learning takes place. If a child gets distracted and not willing to continue – leave the activity. Pursue it at another time when you both feel happy and relaxed.
If you are a mother who thinks you aren’t doing enough for your early learners- know that children learn so wonderfully well by themselves. God has blessed them with a great sense of curiosity. There is an inner impulse within children pushing them to examine everything around them. Our teaching job then becomes to fill their world with good books, educational toys and great games. We simply have to create an enriching environment for their mind to expand and a chance to talk about their ideas and feelings.
At age twenty, it doesn’t really matter whether your child started reading at four or five or six. What really matters is will he pick up a book to read daily. Will he pursue the journey of lifelong learning?
