A strong family education foundation also involves encouraging children to participate in extracurricular activities and real-life experiences, thereby fostering self-confidence and problem-solving skills.
However, not all parents can provide a good family education, so start with these six daily habits.
Accompany your child and be their friend first, academics follow
Parents often have busy schedules and little time left to spend with their children.
In reality, friendship is the best method of education. Good family education is the subtle influence created by shared activities between parents and children.
When parents accompany their children, the children develop a sense of belonging, safety, and are able to express their personalities. At this point, education not only occurs naturally but also becomes highly effective.
For example, parents can have dinner with their children every day, play family games, or read together for about 15 minutes before bedtime. If time permits during the week, go for walks, visit parks, museums, etc., on weekends and holidays.
Building a trusting relationship between parents and children is more important than any other educational method.
Maintain boundaries but provide space
The basic premise of educating children is to set boundaries. So, what are boundaries? They are a set of rules that must be followed, such as “You must come home on time after school.”
Of course, each age group has different basic requirements. Parents can discuss and determine the essential requirements for the next stage and explain the reasons clearly. Moreover, these basic requirements should be negotiated and discussed.
However, as long as children don’t cross the line, try not to control every detail of their lives.
Once the key points are determined, write down some rules and either stick them in the child’s room or somewhere else visible to all family members.
Strategize and cultivate good habits
Good habits are not innate but require long-term discipline. However, cultivating good habits is no easy task. Many parents tend to give in or quit when their children cry or rebel.
Parents should start by strategizing and providing their children with a foundation that makes it easier to develop good habits.
For example, most parents want to cultivate a habit of reading in their children. So, after dinner, while the child is doing homework, parents should refrain from playing on their phones. Instead, they can pick up a book and read quietly.
Rather than saying, “You must read,” create a family atmosphere where everyone loves to read.
In this atmosphere, children will more easily develop a reading habit.
This is “strategizing and cultivating habits.” Habits cannot be formed overnight but must be developed gradually according to a strategy.
Build a “ladder” to make things easier
While habit formation is essential, a child’s development is a gradual process and should not be rushed.
For example, when a child is one or two years old and just starting to eat, using their hands may be the most effective method, but this can lead to a messy table and clothes. However, at a certain age, they will easily master using chopsticks and spoons.
Understanding this, when a child makes a mistake for the first time, parents should not get angry or do things for them. Instead, trust that they will gradually improve.
So, what parents should do is help their children build a “ladder” to make things easier.
For instance, if you want your child to clean their room, give them a list of things to tidy up and guide them through the process. With this “ladder,” they will know exactly what to do.
Encourage and reflect
Some parents tend to complain but rarely praise their children.
In this case, parents should form a habit of encouraging their children.
When children recognize their strengths through encouragement, these positive behaviors will gradually become habits.
What about negative behaviors? Parents should guide their children to reflect on them.
Reflection helps children summarize and conclude issues that have occurred over a period, thereby finding solutions for improvement.
For example, if a child is late for school because they slept in, then going to bed on time will solve the problem. Identifying the cause and finding a solution together is called reflection, not criticism. At the same time, whenever parents encourage or reflect, they should maintain objectivity.
Shift focus and discover potential
Every child has unique strengths, but their potential will manifest in different aspects.
If you notice weaknesses in a particular area, shift the focus and explore their talents in other fields.
Changing the focus is not about giving up but about helping them find a broader path.
A child who is not good at math may have an advantage in the humanities or arts. Or, a child who doesn’t like playing the piano may excel at dancing, painting, choir, or other art forms.
For good family education, what parents should pay attention to is helping their children self-motivate and discover their potential.
