Life Skills & How to Give a Lesson at Home

Toddlers very much enjoy learning life skills. Activities, which up until now have been going on around them but which they can now do themselves, are seemingly irresistible: getting dressed, preparing snack, setting the table, cleaning a spill, sweeping the floor, etc. The Toddler classroom provides the opportunity for the toddler to acquire the skills to “do it by myself”.

The home environment can be different to the Montessori toddler environment. Things can get messy, children can get distracted, and often parents are taking care of more than one child at once without any backup.

At home, the child will need many lessons, and you are the best person to provide them! If you mess up or if it just doesn't work out, give yourself a break, you can always come back to it in a week or in many cases much later. Don't think you or the lesson have to be perfect.

Lessons can be as simple as peeling an egg, stacking toys or threading toddler-sized beads, pouring a drink, cutting a banana with a safety knife, buttoning a shirt, or sweeping. Ask yourself if a lesson is needed before putting out new toys or materials. Remember most children will need more than one lesson before they master the work, don't worry if the child doesn't remember how to do something and you need to give the lesson again. 

Keep these points in mind as there are times when the opportunity for a lesson can arise spontaneously, you may be working in the kitchen and suddenly your toddlers want to join in, perhaps they are ready for peeling, so that’s a great opportunity to give them a lesson.

Here are a few tips for giving a toddler a lesson at home:

1. Generally speaking, pick the time when you and your child are rested and well-fed. If possible, choose a time when you can be your best self and give your attention to your child, keep in mind the lesson might only take five to ten minutes maximum.
2. Ensure you have all the materials you need, and that they are all in working order. You don't want to run off halfway through because you have forgotten something, this can break your child's concentration and sometimes lose his/her interest.
3. Keep it simple. Use a free-of-clutter work surface, only have out on the workspace the materials you are using for this lesson. Remove distractions (turn off the TV, put away your phone). Keep the lesson as simple as possible. Remember your child is absorbing everything in his/her environment.
4. If possible, work at your child's level. It's important that your child can concentrate on the lesson and not have to focus on balancing precariously on a kitchen stool. Make sure your child is comfortable so the only thing he/she needs to focus on is you! If working on the floor, a little work mat is recommended. This teaches them to keep the material neatly on the mat.
5. Sit next to your child, if possible, it's recommended that you sit on your child's dominant side. The important thing is that your child can see and imitate your movements.
6. Try a wordless demonstration, this allows your child to focus on your hands, not on your mouth. Once the child has mastered the materials you can add some words and include a language lesson.
7. Use clear, slow, and deliberate movements. If you move too fast your child might not be able to keep up or process the movements.
8. Try to set up the work to flow from left to right. This will be in line with how your child is asked to work at school. But, as amazing as it sounds, it is also an indirect preparation for reading and writing (also left to right).
9. Be calm and gentle. Be respectful. Be kind and be patient. Allow your body language and tone of voice to reflect this.
10. Don't worry or be discouraged if your child isn't interested in the lesson, wait and present it later, this is an indication your little one isn't ready. Look for cues as to what your child is interested in and developmentally ready for.
11. Don't focus on perfection, it's not reality. Your child will benefit from your efforts and after a few lessons, you will learn what your child responds to best. Your child will also become familiar with your teaching style!

In the kitchen and with many practical life activities, your child should have his materials and work next to you. For example, once your child has grasped the general concept of grating, he can use their child-sized grater to grate next to you while you prepare dinner. This gives your child the opportunity to improve his/her skills (by observing) in a low-pressure environment and it also allows you to observe your child and perhaps see what areas he/she needs help with.

Teaching your child a new skill can be incredibly rewarding and can be a little moment in the day for just the two of you. It's also a great time to slow down and connect with your child. Have fun!