Who Turned Off the Heat?
by Barbara Erby
This week we have experienced lower than normal temperatures in the DC area, but I’m hoping that this doesn’t ruin our Cherry Blossom Festival. I love seeing the pale pink blooms on the trees of the Tidal Basin. It reminds me of my childhood and how truly carefree some moments of life can be.
As we move further into spring (and hopefully warmer weather), it is important to keep moving forward in your home learning programs. Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean that you should leave your program out in the cold. You need to keep the fire stoked and the energy going so that learning continues to happen. What are some of the things that can cause the fire to go out in your home program? Well my top two so far are boredom and lack of consistency.
Boredom can quickly overtake programs. A general rule that I have learned to follow is if the instructor is bored, then the student probably is too. Some people think that kids should learn regardless and that “fun” has no place in learning, but it’s easier (and more fun) to learn about a subject that you are interested in. If you’re not interested in the topic and it is presented in an interesting way, you will still pay attention.
The second reason, lack of consistency, can take on many forms. One hour of teaching time, one week then 8 hours the next is inconsistent. Being inconsistent with teaching skills or the behavioral rules can lead to forgetfulness or confusion. Most people don’t remember the quadratic equation that they learned in high school Algebra because it is not something that you use on a daily basis. Remember to keep skills and rules fresh your child’s mind by integrating them into daily life.
Barbara Erby is an Education & Behavioral Consultant with Breakthrough Developmental Services, LLC. Barbara received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Bowie State University in 1999 and a Master of Science in Psychology with a specialization in Educational Psychology and an emphasis in Developmental Psychology from Capella University in 2004. Ms. Erby has worked with a variety of students in the school, home, and community environments as a Direct Care Worker, Family Trainer, and an Education & Behavioral Consultant.