Our children, little sponges, little creatures that we love so much and we display that love in so many ways. We want to show them the world and all the wonderful things that make our world! The birds and the fish and all the animals small and large, the flowers and the trees with so many candies they produce year after year effortless and with grace. We want to teach them with love. We want to teach them everything that we possibly can because we love them so much. How can we do our best and succeed? How can we make learning a fabulous together time with our children? Is it even possible? Yes it is and it can be such a pleasure not only for the child but for the parent as well. We have to remember that every child is a very special being, with gifts and talents all their own. They are very valuable and so unique, and they carry on their backs the precious DNA of both families. The marvelous blueprint that gives us direction as to what kind of people we will be. So take a look around and start paying attention to the talented and no so talented members of both families. You will be able to recognize early in a child's life what excites them, what lights their face, what makes them happy what they love to do.

That is the easy part, the difficult part is when they have to learn imperative things like reading, math and so many more and they just don't like it..do we continue to teach them with love? What can we do if they don't find pleasure in reading? Our love for them will make us find the strength and patience to endure and we will succeed! Here are a few ideas that can make it easier. They really learn by example, if they see your love for reading, and you are surrounded by books most probably they will try to imitate you. Have books and magazines available on topics they like, start with short things to read. Try not to make reading a chore, because the whole point of reading is to find out stuff and to be entertained. They will learn most everything when we make a game out of it, for instance if a book has dialog why not read with them and pretend you are the characters in the book by impersonating them with the different voices, like a little play. How about a little reading nook in a quiet part of the house just for them with all their books, their favorite chair and a little basket with delicious healthy snacks that is a way to teach them with love Talking about snacks and food in general, I love to teach children how to cook and bake. To watch them play with the different ingredients and to ask so many questions gives me great pleasure.Ofcource I keep it simple and basic.

Cooking can open children's minds to the world around them and teach them that there is great value in other cultures. How about if once a week we try to cook something from a different country! Post the day of the happening on the board and ask the children to bring a little information about that particular country and get a little geography lesson at the same time. One main ingredient when we want to succeed in reaching their hearts is to talk with them and not at them, also please pretend you don't know everything and you will win their hearts, isn't that what we want??? Here is the gist of the mater, children are very smart more than we give them credit for, they will asses a situation and if they are happy they will be eager to learn with you and they will remember!! Teaching them with love will keep them coming for more and that for me is mission accomplished!!!!! Litsa with love

About Litsa Bolontzakis
Children's book and cookbook author Litsa Bolontzakis is an expert on Greek cooking and that culture's easy, simple way of life. Her desire is to help other families learn from her culture how to appreciate the simple things in life and grow to enjoy the seasons and the gifts they bring. http://hummingbirdpublications.com

By Litsa Bolontzakis