The most overlooked learning method for children

Talk.

There. I didn’t want to make you wait till the end of the post to find out what I think is the most overlooked learning method for kids. It’s talk.

I know. Talk doesn’t come in a pretty box of curriculum. It doesn’t require a rubric or have a standardized test (yet. that I know of!).

Talk is truly the most overlooked learning method for kids because… well, what are kids doing these days? Texting. Gaming. Watching TV or browsing Facebook. Instagram. Snapchat. And let ‘s not fool ourselves. Texting a string of acronyms about a silly cat meme to a friend is not talk.

I mean talk that gets at the heart of what a child is thinking. Feeling. Learning. Doing. Dreaming.

Generations past knew the value of conversation to pass along stories and songs rich in history, values, wisdom of the ages. Children sat with the adults and listened and recited and learned these tales – both entertainment and education.

Why can’t it be the same today?

Let’s bring the art of conversation back!

I think we can bring back the art of conversation if we set aside time to delve deep into our children’s hearts and hear what they have to say.

Through talk, you’re not just exchanging information. You’re teaching children about listening to others. Responding politely. Formulating opinions. Articulating their own ideas and thoughts. Speaking clearly. Speaking in public (even if it’s just to you, it helps if they’re used to holding forth in a discussion of any sort).

A conversation can build so many life skills for kids and teens. And the great thing about talk is it’s free, can be done anywhere, any time, short or long. Don’t overlook this important method of teaching your children! 

What you need are some great conversation starters!

Perhaps you’re thinking, “But I don’t even know how to get started!” Maybe you have the kid who answers, “Nothing” and “Fine” to every question.

It will feel really invasive to go from not talking much to asking about their deepest longings. So, start in an easier spot. Start with curiosity.

Set aside time – maybe the dinner table, maybe the ride home from school to ask kids questions about things they’re naturally curious about anyway:

• Why does hair turn gray?
• Why do mosquito bites itch?
• Why shouldn’t you swallow gum? (I bet you want to know, don’t ya?)
• Why do baby teeth fall out?

Wondering where to find awesome questions (and answers, and cool facts) to get a conversation going in your family? You’re in luck because Scholastic Parent & Child asked me to share their new app for parents: KidQ. It’s like digital flashcards for parents to find playful questions to ask their kids. The question can be a conversation starter to get the ball rolling. See what your kids think. Let them debate amongst themselves or with their friends. Then be awesome and share the factual answer with them (because you’re so smart!) and cool facts relating to the topic.

Not only will you be teaching your kids interesting facts and trivia, but you’re putting figurative “money in the bank” each time you invite your children into an in-depth conversation with you. You’re telling them:

• You matter.
• Your thoughts are important to me.
• You can trust I’ll never belittle your ideas and opinions.
• It’s okay to test out ideas and theories with me (be a safe place for them to share their thinking!)
• Learning is fun, and learning together is exciting.
• Learning is a lifelong process (let them know when you didn’t know the answer to a question – it helps them to know that learning doesn’t end when high school does).

Get the KidQ app FREE on your smartphone or tablet in the App Store or iPlay store. You can even set it to send you a new question at a specific time of day, so you can build talking time right into your daily schedule!

Talk. Don’t overlook the importance and beauty of sharing a conversation with your child today and everyday.

I received compensation for sharing this program and message from Scholastic Parent & Child. All opinions are my own.