Education
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Tell children honestly when you do not know an answer rather than inventing one; investigate the topic with them later if suitable.
It helps kids accept that admitting ignorance is normal and builds a solid base for adult life.
- One approach is to say 'because I said so' in the moment and discuss details later when appropriate.
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Ask your child what their favorite part of the day was instead of asking if they had fun.
Asking if they had fun usually results in a simple 'yes'.
one person who lived it
If a child finds reading tiring, use audiobook stories after a short book to settle their brain.
Reading at night can be trying on a child's brain.
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Let children pick out toys they have outgrown and help bring them to the donation center.
It teaches charity early.
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Use an allowance jar system with Save, Spend, and Donate categories to teach children about money; require discussion before spending from the Spend jar to stop impulse buying.
This stopped impulse buying.
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Teach older children and teenagers to set up electronics themselves rather than doing it for them.
It helps them learn technical skills and the patience needed to succeed in life.
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Read together to make it fun rather than forcing early reading or using rigid programs.
Forcing it too young can cause children to hate reading.
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Enjoy the phase where children ask many questions.
The stage does not last very long, and soon the child may not want to talk at all.
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Use the melody of 'Jingle Bells' to help children memorize phone numbers.
It sticks.
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- Create invented melodies for phone numbers and addresses to aid memorization.1
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Make reading part of the nightly bedtime routine for children, even if you are running late.
There is no excuse.
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Avoid rushing children to read before they are ready.
Rushing can turn reading into a chore and eliminate joy.
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Do not pay children to read books.
Paying for reading frames it as a chore and signals that the activity is inherently undesirable.
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Consider a child's interests and use smart positive reinforcement when teaching new skills.
This helps avoid frustration for both the parent and the child.
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Encourage children to ask questions of experts or adults present rather than silencing them.
Those who are allowed to ask questions seem happier.
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Engage toddlers in sensory play, such as washing dishes with bubbly water and measuring cups, to keep them busy and teach cleaning.
It keeps them busy for ages and cleans their little grubby hands while they believe they are helping.
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Expose children to arts, music, and creative subjects in addition to STEM.
Creative pursuits offer benefits regardless of a child's future career path.
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Grow produce from scraps, such as pineapple tops and citrus seeds, as a fun activity for children.
Children were delighted by this activity.
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Explain complex subjects in age-appropriate ways rather than assuming children cannot understand them.
The way concepts are presented matters more than the complexity of the subject itself.
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Praise effort rather than innate ability, since people do not control their natural talents.
People don't control innate ability.
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Rotate the passcode on a child's device between different important numbers so they memorize multiple emergency contacts.
This prevents them from forgetting the numbers.
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If you do not know the answer to a child's question, ask for their ideas first, then research the answer together.
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Read to children every day starting from birth to build literacy skills.
This is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
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Be cautious with mandatory school reading requirements, as they can kill the passion for reading.
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Let children articulate their own needs and experiences without parental interruption.
A child psychologist observed that a child could articulate more to a doctor when the mother stopped answering for them.
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Introduce comics or graphic novels to hook reluctant readers, particularly those with ADHD.
Visuals can instantly engage readers who previously hated reading.
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Praise strategies and problem-solving methods rather than natural ability to reduce aversion to challenges.
Focusing on strategy makes people less averse to taking on challenges.
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Instill curiosity and a growth mindset by encouraging experimentation alongside reading.
Experimentation is cited as another method of learning besides reading.
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Recognize that children may already know your phone number through daily exposure, such as hearing it read aloud during routine activities.
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