From time to time, some of my kids will be less enthusiastic about an activity or lesson. It is those times that I try to see how I can also participate in the activity.
For example, during one of the first days of school, we did an activity where we each drew a design or shape in the middle of a blank piece of paper with a crayon. Then, they had to pick up another color and “trace” (or maybe a better word is copy) the shape, just along the outside of it (leaving a bit of white space). They were supposed to do this over and over, until the hit the edges of the page. Not only was this an art activity, but also a handwriting activity, in order to increase control of the line they made.
This activity took a while, and it certainly would have been easy for me to take the time to pop over and check my email quickly or perhaps throw in a load of laundry. Instead, particularly because they sat a little bewildered about why we were doing this, I grabbed a piece of paper and box of crayons, and I started my own masterpiece. Not only did this encourage the kids to do their best work (because my care and precision in making mine modeled good behavior for them), but they also became much more interested in it because I had sat down to do the same activity with them.
How many times have you been faced with a task that you weren’t sure about? Didn’t it always seem a little easier and less daunting if a friend offered to do it with you?
What was the last thing that you did along with your kids to help them be a little less reluctant about the task at hand?
(This doesn’t have to be homeschooling related — it can be anything! My latest thing would actually be riding on all the “big kid” rides at a theme park on Monday, because they were pretty nervous about it. But, when Mom and Dad joined in, then they realized that it was going to be safe and fun, even though it was fast and spinny too!)
You can find more tips and ideas for every aspect of life at Works for Me Wednesday on Rocks in My Dryer!
———————————————————————-
When Angie isn’t pointing out the forces at work on the Tilt-a-Whirl to her kids, she’s probably busy writing at Many Little Blessings.
photo by -syko-
No related posts.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ll have to think on this but I just needed to comment that I’m proud you didn’t throw up WHILE talking about forces on the Tilt A Whirl…that’s what would’ve happened to me :)!
I agree with you, my kids are more likely to do things if they see me or dad doing it. Although since my back surgery, dad will be trying the tilt a whirl.
You should link this post at Homeschooling Wednesday at Happy to be at Home.
Toni
Its so true! Just sometimes hard for me to be motivated enough to actual follow through with! Its a work in progress though! Thanks!
Great idea! :D This transcends things on so many levels as well like chores. :D