Happy 2020, parents of brilliant and curious little thinkers! What a wonderful year you have ahead of you, full of big questions and exciting adventures in thinking. Right about now, you’re probably launching into a list of resolutions about spending more time together as a family, preparing healthy meals, and staying active. These are all great, but we’d like to humbly suggest a few extra that will make sure your child is getting the very most out of their time with you. These suggestions are cheap (or free), easy, and very effective.
Here they are:
- In 2020, I will try to refrain from saying “just because” or “because I said so” to my child. Instead, I will say something like “I’m not sure. Let’s think about it together.” It really is cool if I don’t have all the answers (or any of them), as long as I don’t shut down the conversation.
- I will look for big questions in all sorts of places. I’ll keep my eyes open as we read stories, watch cartoons, go for walks in the park, and while we’re eating dinner. I’ll take them and enjoy them in whatever form they come.
- I will be okay if conversations about big questions only last a few minutes. My child is still, after all, a child, and if that’s what they can manage, then that’s fine. We can always come back to a conversation later on.
- I will listen carefully and take my child seriously. They may be small, but they are very smart, and have a surprisingly open mind and a willingness to learn. They’re likely to say something brilliant, out of the blue.
- I will take a lesson from my child and take pleasure in asking big questions. I will remember how much fun it is to play with an idea, and how empowering it is to talk about something interesting and important.
2020 is going to be such an amazing year! We can already tell.
If you need a little help getting the conversation started (or keeping it going), remember that we’ve got all kinds of resources to support you and your little thinker. Check out our Teach page for free downloadable lesson plans and more for parents and teachers. Give our books and apps a whirl! Get your child and their class or community group involved in our contest! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, and keep your eye on our YouTube channel!
Happy New Year to all! We can wait to see what you think up!