Raising children is an everyday lesson in teaching and observation. Each caregiver has natural areas of expertise rooted in our professional training or personal interests. Exploring numbers is more manageable for parents who work in finance, while literacy-focused lessons may come naturally to avid readers. All of us who interact with children will encounter topics that stump us. How do we explain gravity to a curious space enthusiast when our training is in art? Conversely, how do we delve into the interactions between light and colors when our expertise is in aerospace engineering? Sometimes, letting the abstract be precisely what it is, abstract, is a fun chance to learn and grow together!
What do you do when you encounter something abstract or challenging to explain?
The easiest way to help children understand abstract topics is to make a game out of it and compare it to their everyday lives. Try giving your child paint or colors with two pieces of paper and ask them to create the same artwork on both pages. Most likely, they will create abstracts or opposites. You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to develop fun ways to foster interest, knowledge and confidence in these important tasks.
You don’t have to worry about having the answers to every question or having the perfect way to explain concepts. Children are already easily impressed by grown-ups and are naturally wired to learn from experience, exploration, experimentation and a little instruction. Simply start with what your child already knows and play to the next level. If you get stuck, plenty of playful learning activities are easy to do on the internet.
How can parents reinforce lessons with school-age children, especially when they may not know or understand exactly how they’re being approached in the classroom?
Parents often mention how challenging it is to help their children when the homework has limited instructions and doesn’t look like it did when they were in grade school. If your child is excelling in the classroom, have them explain what they are doing so you can see how the concept is being framed. Then, you can apply the lessons being taught to everyday activities.
If your child is struggling with the work and you don’t recognize it, do not hesitate to ask their teacher for information to support your child’s efforts. Most educators are happy to help when a caregiver wants to help their child grow. None expect you to be an expert in the worksheets they send home.
Why do silly and playful things seem to make a more meaningful impact on a child’s understanding?
Making learning silly shows children how much we like learning and eliminates the resistance that can arise when faced with something difficult. It also makes it more memorable and encourages children to be eager to return to work when it is time to think.
Now through May 18, we have an exhibit from the Children’s Museum from Pittsburgh that brings this idea to life. Beloved children’s book author and artist Mo Willems inspired the exhibition Opposites Abstract, which creates abundant opportunities for guests of all ages to explore abstract topics through imaginative art. Every visitor will encounter and explore the artwork differently, creating an opportunity for a conversation about the unique and crazy tasks, simultaneously building knowledge of sounds, shapes, words, colors and more.
Participating in abstract topics can be an exciting way for your children to learn more about the world around them. The biggest lesson is not to shy away from the complicated topics. Instead, use them as opportunities to learn and explore together. Enjoy childhood moments when it feels like your kids still need you. If you’re looking for opportunities to learn outside the classroom and home, CMOM is the perfect place for your family to visit.
This blog was written by Dr. Stewart Burgess
Dr. Burgess is the Children’s Museum of Memphis’ executive director and a developmental psychologist. His extensive career centers around early childhood learning, designing innovative educational spaces, parent education and child-development-focused community outreach. While completing his master’s degree in Experimental Psychology, he was a member of the MacArthur-granted research team that created and named the MacArthur Communicative Development Inventories, the first and foremost comprehensive standardized assessment of early language development. He received his Ph.D. from the University of California, Irvine, where his primary research focus was on early intellectual skills and the effects of emotion on memory in young children. He is the co-author of Toddler Next Steps, which earned the National Parenting Seal of Approval and two Director’s Choice awards by Early Childhood News. He’s been published in scholarly journals including Developmental Psychology and has presented at prestigious child development and education gatherings.
