Every 16th of May, the world celebrates Teacher’s Day to show appreciation for the wonderful teachers who mould us into educated people.
Take this as an opportunity to teach your children to value education as well as those who teach them.
Understanding the Importance of an Education
Explaining that learning is important may be a near-impossible task with toddlers and children. At a time where a simple reading lesson can bring on a tantrum, teaching them the importance of an education may seem laughable.
Be that as it may, they will eventually grasp the concept of knowledge being essential to their development. Your child may even begin to take an interest in their education.
Children are always interested in what their parents do, so telling them about your journey in education may pique their interest. If they can see the direct results of an education, it may seem more appealing to them.
You can also show them other examples where they need to apply their knowledge. It is important for them to know why learning new things is so essential.
At the end of the day, they will get used to school and their teachers, even if it takes a long time. Use this Teacher’s Day to explain to them why they need to appreciate these things.
Why Children Need to Learn
It might be a bit difficult to get children to understand the importance of an education, so showing them firsthand why they need to learn might be a better approach.
Organise some activities to show them how the thing that they have learnt are useful to them. Press the point that education isn’t just for further studying and work, it can be fun as well.
Games like Hangman and Snakes and Ladders require some language and counting skills, proving that an education can be the gateway to all types of fun.
In a braver attempt, try to encourage reading storybooks. It might not catch on immediately (or at all!) but it is more than worth the effort.
Children who enjoy reading are curious and imaginative, on top of gaining immeasurable knowledge.
If all else fails, explain to your kids how an education is what secures a good job. The intent is not to scare them about life and what lies ahead, but to instil an appreciation for learning.
Even if they are incredibly stubborn, children all grow up and eventually understand that they have to go to school. They might not like it but they will not argue its importance.
Humanising Teachers and Their Methods
Teachers are truly the pillars of education. Without them, we would never learn many things.
Even if information is readily available, a good teacher is what makes or breaks your child’s ability to absorb it. They may not know it but their parents aren’t the only ones raising them.
Being with your child for half the day, five times a week, teachers are more than equipped to help them both academically and intuitively. They will be able to pinpoint and aid in overcoming shortcomings that even you may not be aware of.
Your child will also have to get used to not being the center of attention anymore. A classroom in Malaysia typically has 20 to above 40 students and they will not be getting any special treatment.
This change from home to school may shock them but is ultimately a good thing. Their teachers can help them learn independence and people skills.
This is why you need to trust that teachers know what they are doing. Dealing with hundreds of kids each year, they surely have more experience than you when it comes to how to manage them.
Of course, their word is not law, but giving them the reins when it comes to your child’s education is usually the best option.
Appreciating Teachers
Teachers can get a bad reputation among children, especially strict ones. As someone who enforces rules and makes studying compulsory, they aren’t going to be popular at first.
However, you will notice that over time your kids warm towards any teacher who does their job well.
Even teachers with a no-nonsense attitude are loved because they are capable and invested in their students’ academic growth.
They are the ones who make it possible to absorb information readily. Can you imagine having to teach yourself everything you learn in school from scratch?
So, when your kids come home complaining about homework or getting reprimanded, be sympathetic but remind them that this is how they get better.
Sometimes children need to be reminded that not everyone is going to spoil them, and that is a good thing.
Make sure they are aware of how important their teachers are. Help them get something for their teacher to show their appreciation on Teacher’s Day.
It does not have to be a material gift, even a card will do, but it will show how much you and your kids value their efforts.
Motherhood wishes all teachers a very Happy Teacher’s Day! We thank you for all that you do.
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