Parents as Teachers
Well, I am just surprised. I have always believed parents were the most important teacher in a child’s life, but apparently I was wrong. If parents aren’t teachers than what do you call all the learning that happens when they are with their child? Maybe the definition of teacher isn’t what I thought it was but I have always believed that teachers are those people who choose to dedicate themselves to the growth and development of children. I could look up the actual dictionary definition but why? I doubt the definition would exclude parents as teachers. Well curiosity may get the better of me.
Main Entry: teach·er 
Pronunciation: 'tE-ch&r
Function: noun
1 : one that teaches; especially : one whose occupation is to instruct
O.k. I imagine the definition of occupation may be problematic as occupation generally implies those who work for payment but I don’t agree with that belief. If you go by the first part of the definition, “one that teaches”, parents would obviously fit into this category.
When I teach classes on parenting, I always remind parents that they are the most important teacher in their child’s life. This does not imply that when children enter school that parents cease being teachers, it means that the child know has another teacher. My children learn from so many people and places. I think of our friends Jess and Jerr, who have taught us about adopting a state of calm in the household, my grandfather who reminds us that all food used to be organic and my mother who reminds us that kids should be part of all of the families activities. You see, all of these people teach through their actions, thoughts and words and I value all of their help, guidance and help with raising our children. Yes, they teach…they are teachers.
Posted on September 25th, 2007 by karen
Filed under: Uncategorized