By THERESA DAVIS
How’s school going? For me, it has me searching the farthest corners of my brain, trying to dredge up all the facts, theories and stories from my own past school experiences. Whether your child is homeschooling, in-person learning or some kind of hybrid, at some point we as caregivers will be teaching some lesson or another this year. The good news is we may not have to do it alone.
Not every piece of available knowledge is in a book or online. The answer, my friends, is not blowing in the wind, but on the phone. Sometimes it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. (Don’t tell the kids that. Yet.)
Your child’s grandparents or great-grandparents are living history. If possible, have your child interview them about what life was like for them growing up. Their experiences may be vastly different than what is taught in a history book. It could be they knew someone who witnessed a historical event or they themselves were there.
If an uncle or cousin is the family math whiz, they may be able to offer a different approach to those intimidating equations. The core may not be common, but the different learning style might be the option to better understanding.
The bookworm in your life can suggest book options if you yourself are not a reader. Form a book club where you all read a book together and discuss it.
Although school may look different this year, you may find help from some unexpected “experts.”
Theresa Davis is a former early childhood educator and has worked in childcare centers for more than 15 years. She is also an adoptive mother, living and taking care of her family in the Capital District.