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Teaching by Modeling (whether I want to or not)
Oliver recently picked up my purse, put the strap over his shoulder, waved to me, then turned and walked towards the garage door. Just like I do.
Very cute.
At 14 months, he’s able to express what he’s been observing for a long time. My habits and my speech (urgent words fascinate him most, he always repeats the (rare) “shh-t”).
So the purse moment struck me because I got a glimpse of the meaning my everyday moments have for him.
When I pick up my purse I might be leaving, if I put it over my shoulder, I’m on my way out the door.
I’m now thinking more about how Oliver interprets my actions, and how he learns how to act in the world by copying my movements.
Amelia’s preschool teacher once told me that Amelia often said things that the teacher could tell she picked up from me.
I sort of smiled wondering what kinds of things the teacher was talking about.
Whether or not I intend to teach by my actions, the kids are learning from them. They have amazing absorption abilities, and as their parent, I’m offering trustworthy subject material.
Not to mention, I’m a 24 hour channel.
Which can be daunting when I’m a real person living with sleep deprivation, moods, and all the rest of it. No one’s perfect.
But knowing that I have an audience gives me the chance to teach them under the table (slipping it into the soup) how to respect one another, how to mediate peace settlements, how to manage/express anger and all the rest of it.
Later, when I observe them try on what they watched me do or say, I feel like I’m giving them useful tools.
I see this phenomenon between us as a great opportunity.
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