” A teachable moment is an unplanned event during the day that adults can use as a learning opportunity for kids. When a child displays an action or behavior that can be used as a learning tool, parents and providers should capitalize on the moment, and provide the opportunity to extend or expand the child’s learning.” – Susan Baxter (Early Childhood Education Instructor)
And this why teachable moments matter in your motherhood journey.
A few weeks ago, my 5 – year old asked me if she could paint. I nodded in agreement to her request and she left to set up her table. I got busy with other things, when she came around and announced to me that she was done with her painting. She showed me her painting with a large smile sitting on her face, while I gave her thumbs up for a job well done.
I had to step outside the house for a few moments to attend to a visitor. But I returned to meet my older son asking his sister, what she did to the paint brush. Obviously, she was cleaning up her paint brush and bowl at the sink, when she switched to her curious side and pushed the paint brush into the drain. My guess was that she was trying to find how far it could go.
I almost lost it instantly at that moment shouting. But somehow I remained calm and went on to scold her. I asked her why she had to put the brush inside the drain. She had no answers. I looked at the sink and could see the brush in the drain, but had no clue about how I could get it out. I was angry and walked away.
Managing Anger in Positive Ways Sets a Good Example for Children
I sat in the living room and turned my mind away from what had just happened. But I could hear my children moving about inside the house speaking to themselves. My son was telling his sister this, ‘ We can remove it. I just need the right tool and you will hold the flashlight for me’.
My 10 – year old son then came into a room close to me and took one of my beading pliers. While my daughter held a flashlight following him closely behind.
Some minutes later, I heard my son announce with a loud voice, ‘ Mummy we have brought the paint brush out.’ ‘Really’, I said from where I was. I got up to meet them mid-way and saw the excitement on their faces. My son was saying to his sister , ‘ You see. I told you we can do it and we did it.’ I was very impressed at how they were able to solve the problem themselves.
Never Let a Teachable Moment Slip Away With Your Child.
Rather, than let a teachable moment slip away, I began by commending how they approached the problem. I also commended my son for showing leadership and support to his sister. I appreciated him for not leaving his sister in her vulnerable moment. But rather choosing to support and help her find a way to solve the problem.
I asked my daughter to say thank you to her brother and explained to her why she must not put things into a drain. I proceeded to share with them three things they can learn from the experience.
1. You must always be there for your brother or sister. Do not mock them when they make mistakes. Be a strong support and a happy helper always just like you did right now.
2. Together as a team, you can always achieve more. You always have something to give or bring to the table. I explained that his sister holding the flash light for him made him see and work faster. And that him deciding to try to bring the brush out, he was teaching his sister how to solve problems too.
3. You can do anything when you put your mind to it. And that it starts with believing that you can. I commended them once again and gave them both hi-fives.
Remember That Raising a Child Takes a Lot of Patience
Later that day, I taught about how I could have missed that teachable moment with my children. I could have shouted down the house or even punished her and ended up achieving nothing. But being able to walk away gave me a moment to learn more about my kids and teach them some valuable life lessons.
You see, the thing with teachable moments for us as mothers, is that sometimes those teachable moments come disguised in moments of frustration and anger. And it may just take a little patience and discernment on your part to know your teachable moment with your child.
And this is why teachable moments matter in your journey as a mother. In those teachable moments, you can provide meaningful explanations to your child on various topics, you can start conversations and get to know what is going on in your child’s head, you can expand on topics you want them to learn about and you can teach them valuable life lessons.
But it all begins with your desire and ability to discern when those teachable moments come your way.
Will you look beyond those frustrating and overwhelming moments today and see a great moment to teach and impact your child for a lifetime?
