"Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise,
making the most of every opportunity" --Ephesians 5:15, 16, NIV
Often you will hear the reason for teaching is so your child will be equipped for "real life". Yet, when we teach in real life situations-- for example, teaching the child to work with fractions by doubling or dividing a recipe-- you can bet that someone will tell you it isn't good enough. They will argue that children need to learn from a text book. We ask why? They say, "So he will be prepared to use fractions in real life!" Like in doubling a recipe? Exactly. Strange, isn't it?
Buying a bunch of educational "stuff" is fun, but ordinary household items can be more effective teaching tools.
Using items found around your home for teaching has the following advantages:
1. Your child is familiar with the objects, so lessons will seem more like a natural extension of home, rather than something imposed upon him.
2. You will be teaching "real life" applications as you teach lessons.
3. You will be teaching your child to be creative. Instead of seeing only one use for a thing, he will learn to use his imagination.
4. Items are readily available.
5. It's free!
The sky's the limit, so use your noggin! Click links (letters) below for specifics.
Includes: balloons, bowls, broken crayons, cardboard boxes, celery,
cereal boxes, checkers, cream, egg cartons, flashlight, flour, food coloring, groceries, grocery shopping, jars and laundry
Includes: magazines, miscellaneous, mushrooms, newspaper, paper cups,
perfume, phone books, pizza boxes, plastic wrap, popcorn,
roll-on deoderant bottle, siblings, shoe boxes,
shopping lists, soda bottles, spices, string, throwaways, yarn and walking
Do you have a great idea for using recycled household things for education?
