Learning through conversing

If we are not learning through play, you will find us learning through conversations. 

There is an energised dialogue back and forth between us all, rather than a boring monologue by me, droning on about a topic. I cannot envisage a more boring lesson for both myself and the children than me bombarding them with facts. 

I take the children by surprise by randomly introducing a topic when they least expect it. I will ask a question which will grab their attention and imagination. Their answer is usually fanciful, incorrect, silly, depending on their mood, but sometimes they can surprise me by giving me a correct answer. 

A discussion then has opened and we play it out for as long as the interest remains, sometimes it will end at the conversations. Other times, it will lead on to a youtube fact finding session, or a drawing and writing task. 

The topics can vary greatly between continents and habitats, planets and their characteristics, the relationship between trees and us, health benefits of good, or discussing the systems of the body. 

A conversation can be sparked by the children whilst we're busy around the house, my eldest was drying up dishes alongside me one day and she started lining up the cutlery, separating it into small, medium and large, telling me about the different materials of the cups and dishes, and discussing the purpose of different kitchen equipment.

'Wow, Mummy what is that, and that?' 

An electricity substation and a wind turbine. My daughter's eyes were taking in the environment as it flashed by in the car. I introduced the topic of electricity for the rest of the journey not expecting her to retain the information or be particularly interested in the answer. 

I could not have been more wrong, months later the girls are still happily learning about electricity, how we use it, plugs and wires, fossil fuels and clean energy sources. It has resulted in being one of the largest projects of this learning year. I'm looking forward to next installment of the project which will be looking at life before and after electricity, from candles to lighbulbs for example. I think they'll be very fascinated in the comparisons. 

Sophia imitates life in her play. I often hear her teaching classes to her barbies, chatting away about different topics, teaching them her latest mental maths knowledge. The children's mental maths in general is strong as they prefer to recite and learn sums this way.

I encourage the children to talk, be curious and ask questions. Teaching is so much more fun and unexpected this way. Questions are just waiting to be asked from all aspects of our daily life. I see the picture below and my mind races with questions I could ask them from this garden environment. Start a dialogue, start a conversation, the participants will learn. 



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