The concept of guerilla teaching is to teach your child in a time and place that keeps their defenses down.   If you have ever tried to work with you child at the kitchen table or some other standard place, often they will become irritated or even cry before you really begin to work with them.  This concept allows you teach in small steps, and choose your time and place to minimize their defensiveness which will enhance learning.

Step 1.  Decide what you want your child to learn.  It may be a math concept, or a vocabulary word or history or science etc.

Step 2.   Gather your tools.  Be prepared.  You may want to use a ruler for a number line, or a historical spot for the history, or even introducing a new vocabulary word in the process of a normal conversation.  While it is conscious on your part, it should appear to be a natural flow on the child’s part as you teach them.  Once you are ready.. then

Step 3.  Initiate your plan.  You have chosen your time and place, what you want to teach, and you have the tools and you are ready.  At precisely the right moment, implement your plan.  Ask for feedback to be sure your child understood.  The total plan should take less than 5 minutes.

Step 4. Withdraw quickly before they can muster their defenses.

Repeat the steps with the same, similar and new knowledge on a regular basis. The idea is, as a parent, to consistently teach your child in a strategic planned manner, always looking for the right opportunity and timing so that learning becomes a natural flow of every day activity.

For more information:

Jack Stanley
Lee Ann Beall
Sylvan Learning Center
3005 Chinaberry Dr.
Columbia, Mo  65201
573-875-8631
866-237-1939
educate@stanleylearning.com
www.stanleylearning.com