Teacher Mom Part✌🏾
One thing is for certain:
“A child’s first teacher is their mother.”
. . . much of my success as an educator is accredited to the systems and routines that I have mastered. I am so programmed to ensure that any classroom that has my name attached to it has such a clear structure that little to no wiggle room is provided to step outside of the structures set in place. On the contrary, I have had such a hard time sticking to routines with my toddler. I have often started things that he has given me so much resistance to, I quit long before giving the plan an opportunity to marinate. I’m certain that this has largely been the culprit of me leaving the “teacher” part of my teacher-mom identity in the classroom and totally winging it at home as mom. So, naturally, when I reflected on why my son is not the academically astute child that I had imagined, it clicked in an instant! I had abandoned the routines that have, long, caused me to stand out. Since the onset of the summer, I put my routines back on along with the teacher-mom badge of honor. Here are some things I have put in place to get my baby boy reading, writing and spitting out math facts and the best part is there is no fuss!
CHECKLISTS!
The early childhood educator in me thrives off of checklists and to keep my sanity at home with a toddler whose favorite phrase is “I’m bored,” I made a few to keep us on track.
When he wakes in the morning, his Morning Routine Checklist awaits him atop his dresser alongside a dry erase marker for him to look at what he needs to do, do it and then check it off as soon as it's done and just before he proceeds to the next step.
Before heading out for the day I make him responsible for his own belongings. H&M had the cutest backpack for him to transport his belongings in when we are out and about and I leaped at the opportunity to get him something that would encourage his independence. Now, instead of me always running around like a headless chicken ensuring that he has everything he needs, I put the onus on him to pack his own bag and use the checklist to remember what needs to go inside.I must admit, it is so cute to hear him loudly proclaim “check” after placing each item in the bag.
Finally, ending the day with a checklist is the best way! This one might be my favorite one yet. It allows me to interact with my son in a means that is super constructive and makes me feel like I am truly winning as a mom. The academic practice has leveled us both up and I am proud that I am actually doing the things I said I would. With this routine, I have greatly decreases screen time and as a result my boy is falling asleep way quicker!
Teacher Mom Part (and the final part in this unplanned series) will cover the learning activities I have been doing with my soon-to-be five year old. Stay tuned!
