Learn by doing

The real world is full of learning opportunities

Whether due to global events that have affected formal education, or students who have different learning styles—or both—parents regularly look for alternative teaching methods. Real-world teaching opportunities abound, down the hall or in the backyard, and students are eager to learn by doing.

Carlo Ricci, professor of education at Nipissing University in Ontario says, “Living and learning [are] interconnected.”

Ricci, who wrote The Willed Curriculum, Unschooling, and Self-Direction (Ricci Publishing, 2012; not available at Costco), adds “The best way to learn something is when it is relevant and necessary and meaningful to the learner.”

Children learn naturally, incorporating literacy, mathematics and other skills as a part of a daily routine. Parents can encourage participation in everyday activities to supplement their formal education.

“Teaching through living is incredibly important. It not only teaches our children real-world practical skills but shows them the ‘why’ behind the learning,” says Cati Peinado, Costco member and co-founder of Petal Resources (petalresources.com), an online home education resource site.

Here are some real-world ways to teach:

● Decide on a menu and read recipes. Double or halve a recipe to practice fractions. “If you select a recipe from another country, you’ve squeezed in some geography,” says Peinado.
● Plan a walk in the woods and teach children about weather systems and temperatures. Identify local plants, trees and animals, or use maps or GPS systems to chart a course.
● A playground can be the perfect opportunity to learn about physics, says Peinado. “Talk about pushing someone on the swing and why they swing back.”

Peinado adds, “In my experience, children learn best when there is a real-life … purpose to their learning. You can see the engagement and enthusiasm in their eyes when they are given a real purpose.”

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Learning resources

The following organizations have websites that offer a variety of ideas on how to facilitate education beyond the walls of a classroom.
● Science Buddies (sciencebuddies.org): Cooking and food-science information and activities
● Outdoor Council of Canada (outdoorcouncil.ca/ Resources-for-Fresh-Air- School): Curriculum ideas, how-to guides and more
● EdCan Network (edcan.ca): Provides a source for accessible content for grades K–12—RWW

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Costco Connection: Costco warehouses and Costco.ca carry a variety of items —from traditional school supplies to kitchen utensils and more—to further your child’s education.

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