Learn & Lead Ltd.
  Learn and Lead Ltd.
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Lit from Birth
  • Connect with Yolande
  • Inspirations
  • Tutoring

Blog

Empowering through Education.

Contact Us!

Teaching our Children to Navigate this Age of Instant Gratification

5/23/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
We live in an age of instant gratification. Our children, whether 2 or 12, are exposed to videogames, the internet and toys that do what they say with the swipe of a finger or the press of a button. With Netflix and other video streaming programs, our children do not have to wait a week for the next episode or even have to wait through a commercial. As an adult, I too love this! When it comes to learning, we are also in an age of instant gratification. When a child can’t remember a historical fact, or a capital of an island, all they need to do is to ask Google!

Although we now have many tools in our society that make life easier, or even more enjoyable, it is essential that we pay attention in order to ensure that these tools don’t take away the learning  of or the important skills taught by delaying instant gratification.

Delayed gratification means waiting for what you want. This can be a tough lesson for our children. Whether it is the toy at the grocery store, the chocolate bar in the pantry, or the stuffed animal on the shelf at the toy store, having to wait to receive a desire is an important skill to develop. Delayed gratification contributes to teaching children patience, striving to achieve a goal,and learning how to control their emotions.

I am sure we have all been at the grocery store with our children when they point out the snack or the toy that they just ‘must’ have. How do we navigate this to avoid having to buy something on each trip to the grocery store? The first step is to be proactive. Have a chat with your kids about needs and wants at home. Explain that there is nothing wrong with ‘wants’, but outline ways in which they can get their ‘wants.’ Perhaps it is by choosing items for a Christmas list, a birthday list, or for the money in their piggy banks.  We live in a consumer world that gives the appearance that everything we want is right at our finger tips and it’s important that we help our children navigate this ‘Now! Now! Now! Culture.’

When we value and believe in instant gratification we risk proving to our children that their success should also be instant. If they do not achieve success instantly, and have to be patient and work hard at a desire or to achieve a want, they can then begin to think that they are not good at it. We risk teaching that if they are not good at something, or if it isn’t moving fast enough for them, that they should move on. What we want to ensure is that we are helping them understand that often earning occurs as a result of hard work.

Not getting what a child wants or failures can be tough on a child. It is helpful to encourage your children to see failures as road signs to where they need to go. Adversity and scarcity, although they may not feel too great, breed character, creativity and resourcefulness. The ability to persevere through disappointment helps them to develop ‘grit.’ Children who are more ‘gritty’ have an easier time navigating the long game vs. the short game in the future.  They have a stronger ability to persevere and they tend to be able to go deeperfor their intrinsic motivation to help them through the challenges that they face.

We all want the best for our children. We want to expose them to as much as we can and want them to be as happy as they can be. Raising a child in the 21st century has many perks. Our children get exposed to so much and so early in life. As parents, it’s up to us to decide on times of instant gratification and on times of delayed gratification. By being intentional about these decisions and putting thought into judgement calls to help our children navigate their needs and their wants, we help them to develop the tools to become more satisfied adults that can live and thrive in our ever changing society.

This article can be found in the Spring 2017 issue of the TCI Parent Magazine.



0 Comments

May - June Newsletter

5/13/2017

0 Comments

 
It's hard to believe that the 2016-2017 school year is coming to a close shortly! Our Specialized Tutoring program has seen great successes this year, and we look forward to continuing to meet the diverse needs of the students in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Here is our final newsletter for this academic year. Be sure to pay close attention to the information about Summer Workbooks and Summer Enrichment Classes!
0 Comments

It's Time to Order Your Summer Workbooks!

5/7/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
It's that time of year again! Get your orders in for your summer workbooks. This year, choose from 'Weekly Reader: Summer Express" and/or Smart Practice. Please see full description of both workbooks below, and attached order form. Our Summer Express workbooks at $13.00 and Smart Practice Workbooks are $18.00. These Scholastic workbooks are sure to help you keep your child's brain active over the summer! Deadline for ordering to ensure a June delivery is May 22. Orders can be sent by email, or made in person. Payment must be received by the 22nd of May. If our regular business hours are not convenient for you, please feel free to call Yolande at 232 3398 to a convenient time!

summer_workbooks_20173.pdf
File Size: 487 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

0 Comments
    Picture
    Picture
    Yolande Robinson, B.Ed. M.Ed, the owner of Learn and Lead Educational Center, has a passion for educating and sharing knowledge. She is a wife and a mother of three. For more from Yolande, visit www.yolanderobinson.com.
    ​

    Subscribe

    Archives

    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.