Hey everyone!
I’m Farah, and I am Learning Vessels’ creative intern/freelancer. It’s been about 4 months now since I started working for Learning Vessels. Some of the works that I’ve done are illustrating several images for their activity book, filming and editing videos for their previous workshop, and also working on this website that you’re reading now!
In this post I’d like to share what are some of the many new lessons I’ve gained after embarking on this journey.
#1 Every child is unique.
Some parents tend to worry when their child is not on the same pace as other children of the same age. Well, after I have interacted and tested several children, I can say that no children are the same. They all have different levels of understanding, behaviour, and pace in progression.
Not all kids learn the same way too. While some are comfortable with continuous reading and writing on papers, some others understand better with hands-on activities. This is dependent on their learning styles - Visual, Audio or Kinesthetic. Observing which learning style the child adopts allows a teacher to determine the ways to teach him/her, and this helps in the child’s progression.
#2 Lack of resources do not stop you from teaching.
Recently, I attended a training which Learning Vessels have conducted for the teaching volunteers. We then had group discussions, thinking of ways we can teach a child in reading or counting. From the sharing session, my takeaway is that there are truly, many ways to teach. As mentioned in the earlier paragraph, teaching goes beyond the textbooks.
Some might think that you need a certain amount of resources to start teaching - markers, colourful pens, whiteboard. Truth is, the start is as easy as using fingers, and a little spark of creativity! Another great resource to start off would be things you can find in your house too. Be it reading, counting, or teaching other basics like colours, there’s bound to be things around the house you can start with! Other helpful ways are to use rhythms or inventing a song to aid memorization.
#3 Volunteering has no age limit
Yes, you’re never too young nor too old to teach a child. From the past volunteer training sessions that I have attended, there are volunteers as young as 14 and there are seniors at 60! As long as you have the passion to help a child in their education, you can.
If you feel like you’re lacking in the teaching skills or the knowledge to do so, trust me, with the trainings Learning Vessels conducted and other like-minded individuals you meet along the way, it will just make things easier for you. Should you intend to volunteer with Learning Vessels, you may do so here.
There’s still a lot of things I have yet to explore, and I’m looking forward to more life lessons in my journey here. Meanwhile, do keep a lookout on Learning Vessels’ Facebook and Instagram for updates!
About the Author
Farah loves cupcakes but don't let her hold your box of desserts if you don't want to see them toppled or upside down by the time she passes it back to you.