Be Open to Learning from Your Child; They Have Much to Teach You.
Look, I thought I was the teacher here, but apparently my toddler is the sensei and I’m just the confused apprentice in sweatpants. Turns out, the little humans have a PhD in 'living in the moment' and a black belt in 'finding joy in cardboard boxes.' If you’ve ever been schooled by a two-year-old on how to properly appreciate a mud puddle, this one’s for you.
When you let your child teach you, you’re not just humoring them—you’re firing up their confidence, boosting their language skills, and showing their brain that their ideas matter. For you, it’s a hit of humility and mindfulness, plus a neural reminder that curiosity didn’t expire with your hairline. It’s a win-win: their self-esteem goes up, your stress might just go down (or at least get funnier).
How to do it
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Start by getting on their level—literally. Sit down, make eye contact, and let them take the lead in the conversation or activity.
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Ask open-ended questions about whatever unusual or quirky interests they have (yes, even if it’s the fascinating world of lint). This shows genuine curiosity and encourages them to share more.
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Try doing things their way, even if it makes no sense to you. Often, their approach has its own unique logic and value.
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Narrate what you’re learning from them as you go along. This lets them know you’re truly paying attention and value their perspective.
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Resist the urge to correct or ‘fix’ what they’re doing. Sometimes, the best lessons come from embracing a little chaos and letting things unfold naturally.
Key Tips:
- Maintain eye contact and an open posture to show engagement.
- Use phrases like “Tell me more about…” to invite deeper conversation.
- Be patient and flexible—children’s ideas can be unpredictable but insightful.
- Focus on the process, not the outcome. The experience matters more than getting it “right.”
