Questions About Parenting?
That’s it for this week’s [vocab word=parenting]parenting[/vocab] class. Does anybody have a question?
"That's it for (something)" means (something) is finished.
Yes, I do. Obviously, I want the best for my 3-year-old. But, I feel like I’m always making the decision for him. Is there a way I can be a more effective parent?
Absolutely, Rex. You have to always [vocab word=keep in mind]keep in mind[/vocab] that children can teach [vocab word=themselves]themselves[/vocab] a lot when you give them the room to explore. The Montessori approach, for example, encourages [vocab word=self-led]self-led[/vocab] play and learning.
To "keep in mind" means to remember.
"themselves" is a reflexive pronoun. It refers back to the same children. When the object is the same as the subject, we use a reflexive pronoun ("himself", "herself", "themselves" etc), NOT an object pronoun ("him", "her", "them" etc).
I’ve heard of the Montessori education. How can I implement it [vocab word=myself]myself[/vocab]?
"myself" is a reflexive pronoun. It refers back to the subject ("I") and indicates that the action of the verb ("implement") is being performed by the subject ("I"). It emphasizes that "I" performs the action, not anyone else.
You can start by [vocab word=rearrange]rearranging[/vocab] your child’s [vocab word=playroom]playroom[/vocab]. Keep their toys and books on low shelves that your child can reach by [vocab word=himself]himself[/vocab]. This way, he can choose his own activities.
"by himself" means he can do it without any help.
So, I should basically step back and let him [vocab word=entertain]entertain[/vocab] himself?
It’s not about leaving him alone. It’s about respecting his choices and supporting his decisions. This will help him build confidence in himself.
"This will help him build confidence in himself." - Here, "himself" refers back to the object "him". Even though "him" is an object, this is the person who is building confidence, not for other people, but for the same person. So, we must use the reflexive pronoun "himself".
I have to help him become independent. I can’t just abandon him.
Exactly. Young children will make mistakes, and that’s okay. We have to [vocab word=let]let[/vocab] them make mistakes. They often learn the most from the [vocab word=stumble]stumbles[/vocab] they make themselves.
We can say, "They often learn the most from the stumbles they make", but we are adding "themselves" to emphasize that they learn when they (not anyone else) make mistakes.
When we are playing games, should we let them win all the time or should they learn to lose, too?
In my opinion, they should learn how to handle both [vocab word=victory]victories[/vocab] and disappointments with [vocab word=grace]grace[/vocab]. Life is filled with ups and downs. They should learn to treat each other with [vocab word=kindness]kindness[/vocab], despite the [vocab word=outcome]outcome[/vocab].
The Montessori approach is [vocab word=base]based[/vocab] on the belief of encouraging [vocab word=mutual]mutual[/vocab] respect and creating opportunities for growth. It's about [vocab word=instruct]instructing[/vocab] children to value themselves. Then, we will learn to respect others.
"themselves" refers back to "the children".
So, I have to let my child make decisions by himself. To encourage that, I have to create an environment that allows him to do things himself. When he manages to do something by himself, he will feel more [vocab word=confident]confident[/vocab]. Am I right so far?
Absolutely correct, Rex! [vocab word=confidence]Confidence[/vocab] is built when children are given the chance to [vocab word=challenge]challenge[/vocab] themselves and experience a sense of accomplishment.
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