Making the most of teachable moments with your children

Something happened this week that I didn’t anticipate, which isn’t unusual in life, is it? While driving my daughter to a Saturday-morning art camp, we heard a news story on the radio about a young girl who was collecting teddy bears for police officers. They carry them in their cars to give comfort to children during tragic and emotional times.

The little girl’s story began innocently enough when she heard that her friend’s daddy had run out of stuffed animals. Normally, that would make me smirk because most guys I know are way past collecting stuffed rabbits and the like. Yet, this man was a police officer, and he knew, in tough circumstances, something like a toy could provide relief to a little one who might feel scared.

The story ended, the radio music started, and her questions began. “Mom, do you think it’s nice to give something you really love to someone else who really needs it?” I knew before she finished her question, this was going to be a teachable moment.

Teachable moments are those brief windows of time where an opportunity arises to talk about something—or do something—that isn’t what you originally intended, yet we can learn or educate someone else in the process. These little moments happen a lot with my kids. Sometimes I jump on them, and sometimes I let them sail right by. It’s all about timing, figuring out what their thoughts are on the subject and answering them in a way that continues conversation. Sometimes these moments happen organically, and other times, you can initiate some activities to facilitate great learning conversations with your kids, such as:

• Reading books together.
• Talking about when you were younger.
• Having age-appropriate conversations about happenings in the world.
• Taking a learning trip to a farm, zoo, museum, park, festival and so on.
• Looking at photos, maps and memorabilia.
• Cooking, gardening and even grocery shopping can unearth discussions on measurement, nutrition and why budgets are important to plan and follow.

Just as my children have learned from me during teachable moments, I also have learned a great deal from them—and about them—when it comes to grace, compassion and how their childlike thoughts and emotions touch my heart.

I’d like to tell you that, after discussing why community service, first responders and charity are important (yes, we covered them all from one little news story), my daughter parted with the plethora of stuffed animals taking over her room. But, that didn’t happen. Instead, after camp, she asked if we could run to the store to buy popsicles. She wanted to deliver them to the firehouse near our neighborhood and thank them for all they do. When I asked why popsicles, she simply stated, “They work in the fire and heat all day, Mom, so something hot to eat would be inappropriate.”

Now, why didn’t I think of that!?

Gabby

Chief Family Officer