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Erin
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| Posted: May 17 2010 at 11:55pm | IP Logged
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There are areas of teaching logistics that seem to take me a rather long to time grasp. When I finally have my moment of 'illumination' I wonder why on earth I didn't think of it sooner. 
Recently I've noted my children 'teaching' one another more frequently. For years I have struggled as I dashed from child to child, and had disgruntled children who are held up waiting for mum.
In the last month as I've watched my dc 10 & 8 give dictation and spelling lessons to one another it has dawned on me that this is how children in one room school houses have been doing it for centuries. I can't help but realise that by teaching they are also learning. So why did it take me this long?? 
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Erin
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CatholicMommy
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It took this long because so many of us (ME at times too!) are so stuck in how we grew up - that we are not there to support one another, but to focus on our own work. Or we'd only help each other out when the teacher directed us to do so.
I went through Montessori training and worked in Montessori schools where this is what the children DO all. the. time. And yet, I still miss those opportunities from time to time!
Just enjoy it now that you've discovered it!
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Becky Parker
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I've noticed my kids seem to learn better when a sibling explains it. Maybe they speak each other's language  . My 2yo is slow to talk but will sit there with my dd for an hour and go through picture flash cards, repeating the name of each picture after her. I also heard my 9yo explaining to my 6yo about how anything times 0 is always 0 while they were sitting on the top of the swingset yesterday.
That being said, if I "plan" these things, ie - "Sarah go and teach your brother how to divide" it doesn't seem to work as well. It always seems to work better here when they are just together anyway and it naturally comes up. I could see where a Montessori environment would lend itself to that sort of thing.
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Becky
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JennGM
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We have a smaller family, but I do find older ds is always trying to teach his little brother in all ways. It is so wonderful to watch.
I have often wondered how much of our children's personalities are shaped by the sibling interaction.
I agree, it does happen so much in Montessori, but I think that ideally home and family life, if the child is truly immersed, is a bit what Maria Montessori was imitating in the classroom. It is a little more "sterilized" but it is an imitation of life.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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Mackfam
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JennGM wrote:
| I agree, it does happen so much in Montessori, but I think that ideally home and family life, if the child is truly immersed, is a bit what Maria Montessori was imitating in the classroom. It is a little more "sterilized" but it is an imitation of life. |
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I agree so much!
It has been so wonderful to see my dd voluntarily work with the younger two children at times. In fact, last year, I put her in charge of many of the Montessori presentations and she helped me keep the shelves ordered and assisted in rotating items in and out. My older son really enjoys helping out as well!
It really is a delight to watch my children grow in relationship with each other in these ways.
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Jen Mackintosh
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MicheleQ
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This is a huge help to me. My older dd loves teaching (wants to be a teacher) and will readily help the younger children.
My oldest (24) is teaching a math lesson to his 10 yr. old sister right now.
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Michele Quigley
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knowloveserve
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It's great, isn't it?! It's also the only way my kids havre learned to ride a two-wheeler as well... by another kid teaching them.
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Barbara C.
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This has been something on my mind as well, too.
My four-year-old is starting to read three-letter words, and I have been intentionally avoiding giving her any reading lessons. But, she and her seven-year-old "play school" where big sister is "teaching" her how to read.
This gives me a lot of food for thought for when I do start formal work with the four-year-old...and when we have four kids we're homeschooling.
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Barbara
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ALmom
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My 13 year old is the science teacher in our house - has been since about 9 or 10 and we discovered that not only was it a passion - but it is a real gift he has.
My 2nd dd has always been the craft and project organizer. She draws everyone in because she is plain so much fun. Her passion was history so there were a lot of history projects which helped draw in other chidlren.
My older children were always answering questions - what is this word, what is .... and that is how one of my children learned to read.
My oldest son is all about airplanes. He has taught his brothers a bunch of airplane stuff (weather. lift, drag, ....) and they make awesome airplanes (using military specs to imitate the design and capabilities of these real aircraft). He also does a lot of the physical training (subtley and indirectly and sometimes by just inpiring competition). He is the one who printed physical fitness information off and began doing these things - or basketball ....
My oldest dd is the music coach. She teaches me what to look for in technique and other things when they practice between lessons - and was the one that clued me in that one dd was turning on the metronome just to make me believe she was practicing with it - but was ignoring it. She gave little mini lessons when the younger children were really young and just wanted to try out things. She also taught the youngers to read music, and to dance.
We have a house full of individuals with very obvious passions. Without each other, we would be very one sided.
I don't know why it took a while for me to discover this but I do think that some of it has to do with having an older child who is old enough and enough relaxed time for these things to just happen.
Janet
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Erin
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| Posted: May 19 2010 at 8:55pm | IP Logged
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CatholicMommy wrote:
I went through Montessori training and worked in Montessori schools where this is what the children DO all. the. time. And yet, I still miss those opportunities from time to time! |
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Do you know, I hadn't stopped to think about this!! Food for thought.
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Erin
Faith Filled Days
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Siblings Help 'Teach' Each Other
