If you’re a parent, you already know that one of your most essential jobs is raising your children to be well-rounded adults. And boy, does it take work.

But teaching your children doesn’t have to feel like a chore, for you or your kids. Keep your kid learning by using these tips.

Early Childhood

Most parents are well aware of the importance of teaching their children in early childhood. Before preschool, you are the only source of education. It’s up to you to help your child to learn to talk, walk, and socialize with others.

The best way to do this is by constantly interacting with your child. If you talk around them and to them, they will pick up your language. If you’re bilingual or live in a multi-language household, you can teach your child both languages or even more, and give them a great headstart in life.

Playing is a fantastic way for young children to learn. It’s important to encourage different forms of play to help them to pick up different skills and interests.

Children can play alone, with other children, or with their parents. When you play with them, you can guide the playtime and make sure they get the most out of it, while having fun. For example, if you have abc plush toys, you can teach even small children basic spelling skills.

Screen Time

Electronic devices are more common now than ever before, and even young children can use tablets better than some adults. This is a bit of a mixed blessing.

Tablets and computers can be great tools to distract, entertain, and even educate your children. We live in an increasingly digital world, so it’s useful that kids are able to navigate electronic devices with skill.

But screen time can be addictive, and tearing a child that’s been raised in front of a screen away from their best friend is painful for everyone involved. It can also be loud.

You need to set appropriate boundaries for your children and be consistent. This doesn’t mean that your teenager should have the same limits as your toddler, but you do need to be fair and communicate with your children.

Practical Skills

As your children grow older and their formal education becomes separated from life lessons, your role as a parent will change with them. You still need to be an educator, but the focus should shift.

Once your child is old enough, give them practical lessons to help them develop the skills to be a successful and independent adult. You can start these lessons surprisingly early by involving your children in your daily activities.

For example, when you teach your child to cook, they will feel more comfortable in the kitchen. Once they’re old enough, you can even ask them to cook a meal a week. This will teach them how to plan a meal and to be responsible. Adding age-appropriate chores to a child’s schedule helps them with responsibility and learning.

There’s a balance between teaching responsibility and putting too much on your kid’s shoulders. Find various ways to incorporate real-life skills in a fun way into your child’s life.