Have you ever heard the expression don’t poke the bear or wondered where it came from? Well, bears are pretty much gentle creatures-remember the tv show, Gentle Ben, about a bear? They hibernate and they keep to themselves, for the most part. They look after they’re young, but if they feel threatened or feel that someone is threatening their little ones, they will go after them, hence the expression, “don’t poke the bear.” this and other sayings, proverbs or words of advice, are little nuggets of wisdom passed down from one generation to the next. They are excellent little opportunities to impart common sense knowledge to your children, and most likely you can find examples in their own life that explain their meaning.
When I taught school, I would write a proverb or saying on the board every morning and as the kids came in, they would read it and try to figure out what it meant. After they did their morning writing, as I got the attendance done and other administrative tasks completed, we would discuss the meaning of the expression, I would give an example and in a few short minutes the first lesson of the day had been taught. Not to mention that they were now settled in and ready to learn. I got this idea when I read the book, very early on in my teaching career, which I have referred to several times on Teaching Tuesday by ED Hirsch Jr., A First Dictionary of Cultural Literacy. Basically it’s a book of what children need to know from historical facts, to music, to art, to the Bible, to religion, to math, to science and so. Hirsch went on to write a series of books for each grade level called What Your _____ Grader Needs to Know. Ed Hirsch was a professor at the University of Virginia And wrote many books on education and cultural literacy. Although I think this book is a great reference book to have on hand while you’re raising your children, you could do a search of proverbs and sayings and write a new one on a dry erase board each morning and this would be a fun exercise/teaching lesson to to get your children’s mind working while they’re eating their breakfast and it’s an opportunity to connect as you both start the day. Another idea would be to take a list or this book on a family vacation and if you’re driving, you could go through a list of these each with its own discussion.
With the advent of technology and kids being so attached to a phone there are some things that you need to just learn by discussion. As I have said before, used well technology can be an advantage, no doubt, but I do feel and research has shown that as the use of phones by children has increased their social skills have decrease. That’s not good so look for opportunities where you can have discussions with your children which gets them aways from their phones. Here’s an idea for you and you both both may learn something. Win/win. I like that…Wishing you…A Great Day 🍎
