When parents and children enjoy being together while learning and improving skills, it creates the perfect conditions for strengthening family relationships and enhancing lifelong learning.
In this way, teaching and learning complement and advance one another, helping both the teacher and learner grow.
Overcoming Adversity
While the term “literacy” encompasses much more than just reading and writing, these two skills, along with arithmetic, are indeed what we often think of as the basics of education.There is a well-known story about a dedicated parent from the Northern Song Dynasty (A.D. 960–1127) who used her wisdom and determination to overcome adversity and teach her son how to read and write.
That son was renowned writer and historian Ouyang Xiu (A.D. 1007–1072), who lost his father when he was only 4 years old. The family was left impoverished, and the mother and son often did not have enough to eat, let alone have money to buy pen and paper or send Ouyang Xiu to school.
However, Ouyang Xiu’s mother did not give up on her son’s education because of this. Instead, she came up with a solution—using a reed to teach him how to read and write in the dirt on the ground outside. This is the origin of the idiom “writing with a reed to teach one’s son.”
Guided and encouraged by his mother, Ouyang studied diligently and at age 23 passed the imperial examinations as the top scholar. He went on to hold important positions throughout his 40-year political career.
As a government official, he never forgot his mother’s teaching—to follow his father’s example and serve the people in an honest, upright, and compassionate manner, never seeking wealth and self-interest but rather always helping those in need.
Teaching by Example
Their story can be likened to the journeys of overcoming adversity of the many refugee and immigrant families resettling in other countries. It also reflects the experiences of many parents and caregivers who themselves face life challenges but nevertheless do everything they can to support their children’s education.Those adults themselves set good examples to follow, such as those of hard work, perseverance, resourcefulness, resilience, treasuring learning, and giving back.
There is a Chinese idiom that describes “using words to teach and personal action as a model.” Another idiom says we can “educate without using direct/standard teaching methods.”
These idioms remind us that it is entirely possible and natural to influence and teach simply through our everyday activities and interactions.
It is not limited to the usual literacy activities of reading, writing, and doing homework.It could be through playing a game, cooking or baking, making a budget, planting a garden, or watching the stars. Your children are also learning when they see how you treat others, solve a problem, resolve a conflict, and correct your mistakes. It is not limited to the usual literacy activities of reading, writing, and doing homework.
Sharing Your Wonder
Parents should also consider that they have the ability to greatly enhance their children’s education and learning just by sharing their own wonder about the world.Observe your surroundings and show that it’s natural to have questions and that it’s important to ask when we don’t understand. Take the lead in demonstrating how enriching it is for everyone to discuss ideas and find answers and solutions together.
Speaking to the value of inquisitiveness and the power of curiosity is another Chinese idiom that’s variously translated as “being curious about what’s unusual,” “being interested in what’s different,” or “paying particular attention to what’s out of the ordinary.”You might have some personal experiences of how the curiosity of children led you to discover and learn something new and valuable.
This idiom might come to mind when you or your children venture to ask why, why not, or what if. You might have some personal experiences of how the curiosity of children led you to discover and learn something new and valuable.
Attitude of Respect
A respectful attitude is one of the key ingredients impacting motivation and outcomes in learning. There is a story about how eminent Northern Song prime minister and historian Sima Guang (A.D. 1019–1086) taught his son about respect and other important qualities of a good person and student.One day Sima Guang saw his son handle a book very casually while reading, so he used the opportunity to counsel his son.
“Before studying, he washes his hands, cleans the surface of his desk, and puts on a tablecloth. While reading a book, he sits up straight, maintains a respectful attitude, and focuses on his learning, never allowing his mind to wander. He conducts himself in a simple, down-to-earth manner and is steadfast in his work.
“Only by fulfilling these requirements can one properly cultivate one’s moral character, manage one’s household, and be capable of going as far as ruling a country and bringing peace to the land.”
Under his father’s guidance, Sima Kang devoted himself to learning and self-improvement. He grew up to be just like his father in terms of both virtue and scholarly achievement. Their example gave rise to the saying, “Those worthy of serving as role models for others, they are the Sima father and son.”In Praise of Virtuous Grandparents and Other Caregivers
Among other respected role models from ancient China is Empress Mingde (“Clear Virtuous Empress”) of the Eastern Han Dynasty (A.D. 25–220).By Cindy Chan, Epoch Times