Fun Book - For Parents

Today I met in a cafe with one of my friends. She, an 8th grade biology teacher, mother of three children – shared negative emotions about our school education, and was interested in distance education for her 7th grade daughter. It's no secret that the education system is in dire need of some reformation! I'm rather certain that most everyone is aware of this. That being so, how exactly can a child be educated, raised and protected so that there are minimal casualties to his or her fragile psyche? We are not the first generation to have asked this question. It is a proven fact that, anywhere in the world that has had success in the area of education has adhered to one very simple and standard rule, i.e. the positive cooperation of an adult with a child. This ideology is derived from most all domestic psychologists, says L.S. Vygotsky.

It is imperative that ethics and morals be incorporated into everything that is taught. As noted by J. Bruner, one of the ways to overcome the difficulties of today's teaching material, and there also, stimulate cognitive growth, is to challenge the child to test his or her strength capabilities. Allow him to give his best, and to feel the power of victory. Give him the opportunity to experience the joys of successful labor, and then to reap the benefits thereof. A good teacher knows the power of this method, but how very few are able to create such an atmosphere for students, or find a good approach. Cooperation between the child and the adult creates a zone of immediate development (Vygotsky).

In life, parents take a very active role (whether they know it or not) in their child's psychological development. It may be by personal training, or it may be by example alone. With personal training, they could either teach the child themselves, choose a tutor for specific subjects, or select additional classes according to the child's interests. The most important thing is the teacher's positive attitude, and the environment which is chosen by the parents.

So, in short, learning strategies:

• Interests of the child
• A positive approach
• A call to solve a new task
• Choosing a learning environment
• For young children – the game form of training, visualization

Before making a choice as to what teaching method we take, exercises we choose, etc., the main thing that we need to understand is the approach we take with our child(ren), and then we can select techniques based on their temperaments, and teaching materials based on their abilities. The best of luck to you!

Author: Svetlana Bozhieva
Child Psychologist