Free Lessons We Can Teach Our Kids

As a highly educated society we let our schools be responsible for teaching our children everything from reading and math to values and etiquette. We the parents are ultimately responsible to teach our children the basics of life. Even things that are basic to school and education. But as a society that has valued productivity more then family we often fail at teaching our children the basics.

Teach Reading

We need to start at a young age teaching our children to read. We need to teach reading to them on a nightly basis. It is essential to teach reading by praising them as they get older. Instituting a reading night or two every week and as a bonus they should be allowed to earn a library card by reading so many books in a given time frame. Reading skills can be enjoyed by them for the rest of their life. So entice your children by teaching them to read.

Learning Mathematics is Easy

Teach your children that learning mathematics is easy. When we speak of learning math we talk about practical math that we use everyday. Making coin change, doing a family budget, estimating cost, tax returns and of course the bank statement.

We use math a lot in our life and it is vital that our children learn math skills. Our children should realize that math can be fun. It is necessary to get us through life. Make sure they know the fundamentals of math as a basic life skill.

Ecology and Environmental Issues

We also need to share what we know about the environment with our families, both young and old. We should encourage children to study ecology. It is important to us and our health. It effects everything from the food we eat, to the water we drink and even the wildlife we enjoy.

I like to discuss environmental issues with my children and get their take on how it effects them. Teach your children to look for green products that have less harmful impact on and save the environment.

Children Have Lost Compassion for Others

A real big lesson for children is compassion for others and animals. As my kids got older I began to realize that children in general are not compassionate for others like they once were.

My children have learned compassion with hands-on projects like mission trips and youth service. On holidays we always deliver meals-on-wheels to those in the community that are shut-in. Teach children the difference between true compassion and pity. Teach them that they may reap the rewards of compassion by showing it to others.

We have visited zoos and aquariums. We watch nature shows together on television. We discuss and share responsibilities for our pets. These are important lessons for kids of all ages. Animals have feelings just like us humans. There is no room for cruelty in our communities and kids should be taught that early in life.

History Books Teach Us About Ourselves

History is something we learn in school from history books. But history is a hands-on project to learn about our community, region and nation by actually visiting parks, museums, libraries, and other monuments and special locations of historical significance.

Events in history can come alive and help to teach us about ourselves. History teaches us how we should strive to solve problems in our community. On a national level we call this patriotism and it extends to far reaching places. Our children need to know about our history so they can learn the lessons of our forefathers.

There are a lot of things we should teach our children but this quick list should probably give anyone a great start at educating their children at home before they send them to school.