Some of my best memories of parenting consist of recollections of my son curled up against me while I was reading him a story or while racing one another on word puzzler-type books. His whole experience of learning to read was not painful at all, but was more an experience of bonding with mom while bonding with printed type. There was laughter and hugs and encouragement, which should always be part of early learning at its best.

Some people object to the idea of parents teaching their children "too young". Other people feel unqualified to do what they perceive as the singular job of schools. However, the teaching is secondary to the sharing that goes on, the interaction between the child's mind and spirit and the parent's mind and spirit. Whatever learning happens, happens almost unnoticed because the child feels so good about being the sole center of the parent's attention during these shared, special times. Twenty minutes a day, whether after a nap or before bedtime, isn't a lot to ask even of the busiest parent, especially when those twenty minutes will become cherished memories of closeness and significant builders of self-esteem and confidence in the years to come.

Any parent can do this, with just a bit of dedication and commitment. And the rewards will pay off for years to come. Don't just give your child crayons and paper. Sit with him at the kitchen table and draw something yourself. Share yourselves with one another. Sit her on your lap and cuddle when you read....someone gave my son a lamp with a tape player in the base that would read those children's books that come with audiotapes, but after using it once or twice, we both found we preferred to cuddle together and listen to me read aloud. That way, we could also add unexpected surprises (like sound effects) to the text of the book or even repeat (sometimes several times) his favorite parts.

I cannot possibly imagine a more efficient use of time with a young child. To share love and affection while sharing a gift of the mind, a gift of thought, is priceless beyond measure. Take your clues from the child; don't attempt this when the child is in a physical mood needing to burn off energy by running around or when he's overtired. But if you adjust the timing to the child's cycle, both of you will get inordinate mental, emotional, and spiritual sustenance from your periods of bonding and learning.

Blessings on all your teaching adventures with your little ones....and always also be ready to learn from the young sage whose head is resting in the crook of your arm.