How easy it is for us to deliver a lecture – whether we want our children to learn something morally, spiritually, practically or academically – but regardless of the topic a lecture is not the best delivery for learning for our children.  We need to speak to them in a language that they connect with – and for most children that will be interactive, concrete and applicable.

I talk a lot with my children – and there is the one main difference between a lecture and a conversation: A lecture will talk to my children (their only role is to listen) as opposed to a conversation – where I talk with my children and their role is to listen, to think and to contribute or respond.  A conversation doesn’t mean we relinquish our authority but it is more relational.

Recently I reflected on different styles of Bible studies – you have fill in the blanks type of question and answers and then you have a discussion style study.  What makes the difference?  As I reflected on this I found that these differences are the same guidelines that direct me in having a conversation with my children, or rather, in having conversations with my children where they learn something!

3 Steps to Making Conversation an Effective Teaching Tool:

  1. Know your goal
  2. Ask questions
  3. Go with the flow

We need to know what it is we want to teach our children.  So often we go on and on and on jumping from one aspect to another leaving our children in our wake having no idea what we keep talking about.  Keep it simple sweetheart – the KISS principle – is a good thing to remember!

We then need to ask our children questions.  This is more than comprehension questions, though for them to understand is a good thing, but we need to guide them to be thinking about what we have said, to make connections, to make applications for their own life.

The thing is though once we’ve asked the question we have to be prepared to go wherever the children take us!  This is the scary bit, but we don’t have to lose control of the conversation just because the children head down a rabbit trail.  There are two types of rabbit trails – those on track, just with a different twist, or perspective than we would have thought of, or secondly, a rabbit trail that goes some place entirely different.  If we have a specific goal then we need to think quickly and make sure we stay within the bounds of the goal we have.  If our children go someplace else then it is up to us to decide – do we go there now, or do we go there another time.  There is nothing wrong with keeping our children on track with the topic at hand, but if we don’t come back to that rabbit trail then we will eventually squash their inquisitiveness and their willingness to participate.

This last point is really the key difference between a fill in the blanks type of study and a discussion study.  A good discussion leader will know their stuff but will also be willing to learn new things (because they may not know the answer to a question, or they may not know the content for the topics that come up).  A lecture is defined, the lecturer knows what he wants to say and there is no more to say on the matter.  A discussion leader never knows what is around the corner.

Conversation is far more effective than giving a lecture. Learn these there steps to letting conversation be an effective teaching tool.
[Tweet “Your children will learn far more when you engage in conversation than when you deliver a lecture.”]

Are we prepared to let our children interact with the things we want to teach them, to ask us questions and to find applications together?  It is much easier to deliver a lecture and be done with it, but the learning will be so much shallower.

0 Comments

Let me know your thoughts...

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Conversation is far more effective than giving a lecture. Learn these there steps to letting conversation be an effective teaching tool.

Throughout the week I share with other blogs – check out my Link ups and Party page

Conversation is far more effective than giving a lecture. Learn these there steps to letting conversation be an effective teaching tool.

Conversation is far more effective than giving a lecture. Learn these there steps to letting conversation be an effective teaching tool.

The download link is on it's way.

Individual Education Planning Worksheets - brainstorming every area of your child's life.

Get your Planning Worksheets

I will email you the download link so you can start looking at all the different spheres of your child's life before you make any curriculum choices. 

The download link is on it's way.

An Alternative to Chocolate

An Alternative to Chocolate

Not that I have anything against chocolate - but these jelly beans can help your kids share the message of Jesus, his love, death and resurrection at Easter time.  

The download link is on it's way.

Parent Guide: How to make your Family Bible Study Really Work

Family Bible Study is Tricky with all the Different Ages

 

But there is a way to make this a rich learning and bonding family time.  This Guide includes tips, planning worksheet, and discussion prompts.  

Thanks for being here! The download link is on it's way.

Download yourCharacter Certificates

Though true character is driven by internal motivation, our children will appreciate when we see that they are growing in character.

Thanks for being here! The download link is on it's way.

Download your Character Certificates

Though true character is driven by internal motivation, our children will appreciate when we see that they are growing in character.

The download link is on it's way.

Download your Cheat Sheet

 

A quick reference to help you discern between a heart attitude and a lack of skill for when your child loses it!

Thanks for being here! Your download link is on its way.

Make God your First Response

Print out this parenting reminder to call out to God in the middle of the moment.

I'm excited to share this download with you. Watch your inbox.

Download Grow in Character Worksheets

Download Grow in Character Worksheets

I will email you the download link.

The download link is on it's way.

Download Grow in Character Worksheets

You will receive an email shortly with the details. Watch your inbox.

Thank you for being here - your download link will arrive shortly.

Download Parenting Poster

Download Parenting Poster

Learn to respond to your child in a way that changes their heart.

 

I will email you the download link.

The download link is on it's way.

Download Parenting Poster

Download Parenting Poster

 

Learn to respond to your child in a way that changes their heart.

 

I will email you the download link.

Thank you for being here - your download link will arrive shortly.

Our children hear different words when we react to when we respond. Do your children hear blah blah blah when you correct them? Includes a parenting poster.

Download Parenting Poster

 

When we Respond instead of React we find a way to deal with the heart not just behaviour.

 

I will email you the download link.

Thank you for being here - your download link will arrive shortly.

Download Character Lesson Guide

You will receive an email shortly with the details. Watch your inbox.

Thank you for being here - your download link will arrive shortly.

When family relationships get tense - look for the niggles.

Heart Focused Parenting Resource for the Intentional Parent

 

Your download will arrive in your inbox shortly. 

Print it out and use to teach the hearts of your kids.

Thank you for being here - your download link will arrive shortly.

Free Email Course

Daily emails  (6 days) to help you walk towards being a heart focused homeschool family!

You have joined the email course. Watch your email inbox!

Find ways to Re-engage your Student

Download this checklist and stir your child's curiosity

Watch your Inbox - the Checklist is on it's way!

FREE Parenting Worksheet

This worksheet will help you move from addressing behaviour to really parenting the heart, one issue at a time.

 

 

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Personal growth starts with an honest assessment

The download link is on it's way. Please check your email.

Give Effective Consequences

Think before you React

Thanks for being here! The download link is on it's way.

 

Thanks for being here! The download link is on it's way.

One Another Verses

Be Intentional in the Teen Years

Use this Cheat Sheet to remind you of how you can love your teen.

Thanks for being here! The download link is on it's way.

#14 Heart Booster from Resource Library

Thanks for being here! Your download link is on it's way.

Download your copy

Download your copy

Blending Life and Lessons - and start your journey of changing your thinking about education.

Thanks for being here! Your download link is on it's way.

Download: One Another Verses pdf

Download this list of One Another verses and teach your children how to love others.

Thanks for being here! Your download link is on it's way.

Raising Kids with Character

ATTEND LIVE : FREE PARENTING WORKSHOP

A bonus for Heart Booster readers:  Learn how to teach character to your kids so that they can live their lives making values-based choices.

 

Live Session:  5th May 2021, 6.30pm AWST

Replay available until 16th May 2021

 

I'm so excited about this workshop - thanks for joining me!

Raising Kids with Character

REPLAY OPTION : FREE PARENTING WORKSHOP

A bonus for Heart Booster readers:  Learn how to teach character to your kids so that they can live their lives making values-based choices.

 

Replay available from 6th May until 16th May 2021

 

I'm so excited about this workshop - thanks for joining me!

Raising Kids with Character

WAITLIST

 

The Raising Kids with Character parenting workshop will be offered again this year - details yet to be confirmed.  Join the waitlist so you don't miss out. 

I will keep in you in the loop as soon as decisions have been made!

Bonus Reading list

 

Sharing my Homeschool Belief File

Knowing what you believe and why about education and homeschooling helps you make good decisions.

Thanks for being here! Your download link is on it's way.

Build your Family Routine
Starter Kit:

Assess and Plan how to use your time wisely with this worksheet bundle.

Instant download, and then join the Heart Boost Weekly, by confirming in your email.

Success! An email link is being sent to you!

Success! An email is on it's way!

Free email course

... delivered to your email inbox

Success! An email is on it's way!

Download: Family Devotional Activities (PDF)

Thanks for being here! Your download link is on it's way.

Download:Workshop Resource

This is a digital product. Download and print - but please don't share. 

Thanks for being here! Your download link is on it's way.

#21 Heart Booster from Resource Library

Thanks for being here! Your download link is on it's way.

Success! An email is on it's way!

%d bloggers like this: