Teachable Moments

We are really getting into this new home learning routine, especially the 'teachable moments'. Today was packed full of them...

This morning Miss F informed me that I had my shirt on backwards. She suggested I slow down tomorrow morning and enjoy the moment. "'Cause clothes are fun if you make them fun, Al." She also threw in a little positive role modelling with, "My dress in on the right way, see? 'Cause I'm a big girl. It's good to be a big girl sometimes, Al. Will you give it a try?"

Then I spent 20 minutes trying to put Beezie the mini foxy's collar on Whip, the dalmatian. Miss V eventually brought me the right lead and gave me a reassuring pat on the shoulder. She then pointed out that Whip's lead is red and Beezie's lead is blue. "See, different."

While we were out walking, Miss J reprimanded me for only looking twice, not three times, before crossing the road. Then before we could cross the road she lead us in a round of, "This is the way we look for cars, look for cars, look for cars. This is the way we look for cars, then cross the road together."

This afternoon I went to walk out the front and Miss F said, "Careful, Al."
Then I tripped on the loose step I'd be warning the girls to be careful of all day.
When I tripped I stubbed my toe so I asked J if I could have a band aid from her doctor's kit. She said, "You don't really need one mum. The 'dorphins (aka endorphins) will make it better soon." (I only just resisted the urge to retort, "But I want a BAND AID!")

Finally, while making dinner tonight I discovered I'd forgotten something at the supermarket. When Miss F found out she said, "That's what happens when you don't make a list, Al. So what can you do next time for a better outcome?"

I know we're kind of new to this whole home learning thing, but I still can't help feeling like there's something not quite right with this picture...

8 comments:

Debby said...

Isn't it a wonderful thing when you hear yourself in your children. Well. Sometimes. The time that baby Cara whipped out a vulgar word in company...not so kewl.

Unknown said...

Amusing, really made me smile. Looking forward to reading your stories :)

jeanie said...

Musta been something to do with the shirt, hey?

Unknown said...

You are obviously a fabulous parent - and they obviously listen to what you teach them! If they go through life making lists, being careful and slowing down I can't see how they can fail to be happy people :-) Great post!

Anonymous said...

lol....Al, don't you know anything!

One of our home school aims of unschooling was for Boy to teach me what he knew - worked a treat and incresed his confidence threefold.

Alison said...

Debby - LOL! Yes, "sometimes"!

Alice - Thanks :) I'm looking forward to sharing them.

Jeanie - Oh yeah, definitely the backwards shirt. Maybe if I cut the tags of all our clothes I can trick the universe into behaving. Or is that a 'don't go there' topic?

Mountaingirl - Thanks for your words - "making lists, being careful and slowing down". I hadn't thought of it like that. Kewl!

Megan - I encourage the girls to share their knowledge and skills with each other. I love the results that this gets. They don't seem to need any encouragement in teaching ME though! Obviously I don't know as much as they do... lol

Lin said...

lol!

We are going through a stage where Ella constantly reminds me to "say please".

Anonymous said...

Those are such spunky girls!