I DECIDE is the process to invite the child to take the learning responsibility in his/her hands.
As a family you need to rethink your images about the children – they are neither small, not big – they are they and that’s all…capable and equal partners. Once you change your images, you may change your actions (doing and thinking for them).
Kids need the availability of resources as well as a mentor. If you are busy (other siblings, family, or office), you can plan the time of availability. Resources can be planned together and maintained together. The maintenance, procuring, deciding itself can be a starting of a learning journey.
Some SUGGESTIONS to create I DECIDE with the child at home
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Every day bring one planned exposure for your child – something you do together. It can vary from cooking to maths.
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Preferably have fixed time and place for that – both of you commit to being disciplined (this helps, else it gets diluted in few days when other pressing issues of maids and conference calls pops up),
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The rest of the day can be self-driven – both of you are free of each other and do what and how you want to do.
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If possible share your planning at the beginning of the day – so you both are aware of each other’s needs. Clarify commitment to know “will be able to help in cutting cardboard or not”.
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At the end of the day – share and reflect. You can reflect in many different ways.
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As you go along add music, dance, peers, different activities, clubs, courses, etc in your agenda.
ENVIRONMENT – Make an environment rich with resources – you do not need expensive resources, but you need resources. A bag full of different ropes and threads can be a rich resource to explore many concepts.
RESOURCES
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Create resources together, arrange them, organize together – this helps in working independently, else throughout the day the child will keep coming back to you “where is that? and you would not want to leave your conference call in-between”.
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Creating together also helps in managing together – you are not the only one trying to fix a broken speaker.
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And if possible REFLECT at the end of the day – what worked, what not, what next….and many more aspects. We will also be sharing a reflection prompt in the reflection channel.
When kids are lacking enough stimulating environment, resources, and choices …they end up. watching TV, playing video games, or just talking. While there is nothing wrong with spending time with TV or video games, but if the child is using it for escape or time-killing then you can think of that is not what you want or ok as a family.
While you do all that keep on looking for solutions for the various problems you face (you think).
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what you decide to do, do you really do?
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watching TV the whole day
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not focus on one work
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need inputs in maths/language
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not showing interest in science
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only work with crafts
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talk too much
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not into hard work
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does not value time
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does not keep commitments
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work only in one way
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Screen time is too much
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not reading classics
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not having passion
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eating too much or less
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etc
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etc
For each issue, try many different solutions – In the process of exploring
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You may start looking at the issue differently
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or Your child may find some fun in doing it differently
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or Your thinking may change
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or Your child’s needs/interest may change
Stay connected, Happy learning together.