Over the past few years I have purchased an assortment of these “Make Learning Fun” products. Yes, my kids really enjoyed them, but I wasn’t convinced that very much learning was actually taking place.
My daughter could watch a whole Sesame Street episode on the letter J and by the end of the show she could repeat everything but the actual letter. It seemed that the theatrics of the shows were outshining the lessons they were intended to teach.
Then I made an amazing discovery. Without spending a single dime, I found a tool that works for every child – every time. It has never failed me. I use it almost everyday, and like a charm, it captivates my children’s attention while enhancing the learning process.
Make Learning Fun!
Before I reveal this tool let me ask you a simple question, “How many times can Daddy pretend to fall down before young children (1-8 yrs. old) don’t think its funny anymore?” That’s right – infinite. Daddy can pretend to fall an infinite amount of times and toddlers will respond with an infinite amount of laughter. It never gets old – its never “not funny”.
Well, the tool I discovered applies the same logic. The tool is called “Tease-Tickle-Taunt” and I consider it the ultimate teaching tool. Here is how it works:
Before I begin teaching or quizzing my daughter I employ the “Tease.”
Mom: “I don’t know if we should do school today. I think it’s too hard for you.”
Daughter: “No it’s not. I can do it!”
Mom: “Well, we will see about that. Let’s see if you can find Italy.”
Daughter: (Proudly pointing) “Here it is. See, I can do it Mom.”
Mom: “You better not get this one right or I’m going to tickle you! It’s very hard! Where is Japan?”
Daughter: “Ha ha, Here it is!”
Now I employ the “Tickle”. Kid’s loved to be tickled. It is one of those hits that never grow old.
Mom: “That’s it! I am going to tickle you!” (Tickle, Tickle)
Daughter: (Laughing and squealing)
Then, I follow through with the “Taunt”.
Mom: “Well, those ones were too easy. You will never get these next ones!”
Daughter: “Yes I will!”
That is really all there is to it. I can continue to cycle through various versions of the “Tease-Tickle-Taunt” and I lose interest long before my children do. That is why at my house learning time is a privilege. I never have to nag or fuss.
The opposite is true. My kids beg me to do school. People are always telling me how lucky I am that my children sit still long enough to be taught. They tell me their own children just won’t sit still and listen.
If luck is involved it is the luck that I stumbled upon this great tool. My children are no different than anyone else’s. Utilizing the “Tease, Tickle, Taunt” I have nearly covered the whole alphabet in the same time it takes Sesame Street to cover a single letter. So, the next time you find yourself struggling to teach – don’t hesitate to whip out a little “Tease, Tickle, Taunt”.
Click here for more ideas to make learning fun!
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Janine–You are not only an excellent speaker but an excellent writer too. You have great thoughts and ideas and I wish you many blessings on this new endeavor to help others with their children’s education. Sorry that my kids are all grown.
This is fantastic janine! You are such an incredible mother, I always knew you would be chica!
Thank you both for the kind words. I hope I can make a difference.
Awesome technique… only wish we lived closer to pick your brain of more ideas! Keep up the great work!
I wish we lived closer too! Our kids would be best friends. Thanks Kara.
Wow, genius! Who would’ve ever thought it could be that easy? Thanks for linking up to Thinky Linky Thursday!
Lori @ Cachey Mama’s Classroom
PS I a am new follower!
I’m fortunate to have figured this one out. Thanks.
Sounds like you are doing some great things with your children.
I appreciate the feedback!
So inspiring! Come and join my Color Connection meme too. The linky is at my Pink Dinosaurs entry. Have a lovely weekend!
Thanks for the encouragement. I’ll join you soon. Thank you.
Perfect reminder that it’s good to make your kids gigle during school time! Thanks for an inspiring post. My hubby is great at this stuff… I need to work at it.
Yes, you know they are learning the most when they are having fun. My husband is definately better at the teasing part 🙂
She’s lovely!
My PINK please come and see when you have time. Have a safe and happy weekend!
what a pretty girl, love he smile…so cute 🙂 Dropping by from CC
so true, but anyone has their own strategy on how to teach their children. yours is really awesome! hope you could visit my Color Connection 🙂
What a cute idea. Got any for teenagers? 🙂 I really enjoyed your post. Thanks for sharing.
Michelle
I’ll have to think that one through. I don’t have a teenager yet so it would just be theory. Thanks for your comment.
I’m totally using this with my preschooler and cleaning up his toys!! Great idea!!! Thanks for sharing at TPT!!
It works great when trying to get them to eat all their food too.
What a sweet way to teach a child
What a great post! Thanks for sharing with us at Inspire Me Monday at Create With Joy! 🙂
What a fantastic idea. Lol, wait until they’re 20 and realized you used reverse psychology on them.:)
I know! I will have to keep this blog a secret until they have moved out. Thanks for commenting!
Such a cute idea!!
New follow from the blog hop 🙂 Hope you get a chance to stop by my blog 🙂
xo, Jersey Girl
hairsprayandhighheels.blogspot.com
Thanks for stopping by!
I’m excited to give this a try! My three year old (almost four =) always wants to learn, but usually quickly looses focus. This may be just the thing to try… “I bet you can’t write the word ‘good'” or whatever. Thanks for linking this up to Trivium Tuesdays!
I can’t wait to hear if he likes this. All the boys in my preschool love this. They even ask me to tease them. A good phrase to use is, “There’s no way you can read this word!” Thanks for reading!
What a great way to engage your kids!!
I love this. Using fun and humor like this is going to win over their hearts not just their minds. Great work! Jodi @ meaningfulmama
Thanks Jodi. We want to do exactly that; make them love learning.
This is great! I love the way that you are creating a motivation for learning without the children realizing that you are doing it. Thank you for sharing at Saturday Show and Tell! I hope you’ll be back this week.
-Mackenzie
http://www.cheeriosandlattes.com
Some days, even tickling doesn’t work. Thanks for bringing this to mind! It’s certainly not a tool I remember to use often, and it’s good to remember the theme here: just kids!! Love it! Found you on Susan Godfrey’s Back to School link-up. 🙂
You are right, sometimes kids have those day. Thanks for stopping by!
Thank you for sharing at our linky party “Home is where the heart is” I wanted to stop by and let you know you’ve been featured!! Please come and check out the others who have linked up and if you’d like to link up this week we’d love to have you! http://www.homesteadsimple.com/home-is-where-the-heart-is-link-it-up-wednesdays-5/
Thanks for sharing this at the Sunday Showcase! 🙂
DD is going to love this.. whether or not I use it for sending her to school :)) She loves getting tickled!
thanks for sharing!
-Reshama @ StackingBooks.com
Reshama recently posted…Blucy : The Blue Cat