Ready or Not: The importance of being observant teachers

 

Teaching: Ready or Not

            In the article, “Ready or Not,” by President Boyd K Packer, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, he recalls playing kick-the-can as a boy. He remembers everyone hiding, while the seeker would call out “…ready or not, you’ll be caught.” President Packer compares this to our children’s learning as the world figuratively calls out, “…ready or not, you’ll be taught.”

            As parents, we are our children’s greatest teachers. We are their stewards and have been granted the sacred privilege of serving as witnesses to their lives. As such, we have a front row seat to their learning and a responsibility to be available when prime moments of teaching arise. President Packer pointed out, “If teaching is to be effective, it must capitalize on the readiness of the students to learn. A good teacher will be alert and will seize upon the opportunity to teach when the youngster is ready.” If we are to seize upon those moments of readiness, we must first be present in their lives. We must know them and their hearts enough to be in a position that allows us the ability to recognize readiness and curiosity when it appears. President Packer continues, “Many lessons that we have been anxious to teach our own children have had to wait until they were ready.” As we are careful observers of readiness, we will be more cognizant of the appropriate level of information our child is prepared to digest. If we overload an unprepared child with too much information, it will not be absorbed the way that we hope. It may even leave a nasty taste in their mouth which will make revisiting the subject more difficult in the future. On the other hand, if we miss an opportunity of readiness by just giving tiny portions that don’t fully satiate, then we are also losing a valuable opportunity to build relationship as well as instruct our children in moments of hunger for knowledge.

            As we know our children through building a trusting relationship with them and watch for the everyday moments of teaching and readiness that arise, Heavenly Father will help us in our efforts to teach our children in loving ways. He loves them, and He loves us for doing our best. He is the ultimate teacher and can help us as we strive to teach our children the things that they need to know as we all learn and grow together.

 

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