The Unseen Magic of Being Taught by Your Child

In many cultures, parents are revered as authority figures, expected to possess all the answers. However, this approach can be limiting for both children and adults. A conversation with Shara Arora, executive director of two Montessori schools in the Houston area, highlights a simple yet powerful practice: asking your child to teach you something.

This concept may seem straightforward – who wouldn’t want to learn from their offspring? – but its simplicity belies its profound benefits. By inviting our children to share their knowledge and expertise, we’re giving them a platform to showcase their skills while also providing ourselves with an opportunity to see the world through their eyes.

Children who struggle in school can particularly benefit from this approach. By putting our own expertise aside and becoming curious students, we demonstrate that competence is not solely measured by report cards. We show them that the skills they possess – whether it’s a vast knowledge of dinosaurs or the ability to create intricate Minecraft universes – are valuable and worth sharing.

The Power of Role Reversal

Asking our children to teach us has benefits beyond boosting their confidence and communication skills. It also gives them an opportunity to take on more executive functioning roles, such as determining how to convey complex information in a way that’s easy for us to understand and identifying gaps in their own knowledge.

This exercise can be particularly helpful for shy kids and reluctant communicators. By speaking from familiar territory – whether it’s discussing their favorite video game or movie – they’re able to express themselves without worrying about being judged or graded.

Finding the Natural Opening

Rather than scheduling formal “Teach Your Parent Night” sessions, we should look for natural openings. If your child is engaged in an activity, ask them to show you what they’re doing. Try using phrases like “Wait, how did you do that?” or “I don’t know how that works. Can you show me?”

For younger kids, concrete activities are often easiest. Ask them to demonstrate their skills in drawing, building, or cooking. School-age children might teach you a basketball rule, explain the strategy behind a video game, or show you how they created something. With teenagers, it’s essential to ask open-ended questions like “What’s something kids your age understand that adults don’t?” They may surprise us with their insight into social media, technology, or popular culture.

Authentic Curiosity

One crucial aspect of this practice is ensuring our curiosity is genuine. We must avoid faking enthusiasm or pretending to be interested in something we have no passion for. Kids can pick up on insincerity quickly, and it’s essential to approach these conversations with an open mind.

In a world where parents are often expected to have all the answers, it’s refreshing to see a practice that acknowledges our own limitations. By asking our children to teach us, we’re not only giving them a platform to showcase their skills but also providing ourselves with an opportunity to learn and grow alongside them.