As parents you now have more quality time to spend with your children then you normally would as life was busy, rushing from one place to another. You now have the opportunity to connect with your children and see how they evolve into themselves.

Spending more time with your children is wonderful but now as a parent, you have the added role of being a teacher.  This means the pressure of making sure your child completes their schoolwork.

As science communicators we also play the role of teachers when learners visit our centre. It is easy with learner group bookings because the teachers accompany the learners on the visit and help with discipline.  Its during our ‘Science is Fun’ holiday programme, were we spend half a day with kids without their teachers or parents, that we learned a thing or two about keeping them interested, handling tantrums and teaching a bit of GRIT.

Here are the following tips:

1. Acknowledging your children - This is the first step before things escalate. Children know how to push your buttons therefore shouting will have an opposite effect as they are expecting your reaction so instead just sit down with them and have a conversation with them by asking them what they like or how there day was.
2. Positive attention - Following up on the first point children need attention and only giving them attention when they do something wrong only reinforces this behaviour. It is important to give them attention when they do something right for example helping another person or saying thank you or doing well in something they enjoy.
3. Allow your children to express themselves - Allow your children to say how they feel and to express it positively. For example, don't say " you are annoying me right now" instead stay “Mummy is feeling annoying right now". This will teach children to say how they feel rather than saying hurtful statements.
4.  Set boundaries - When you discipline your children and set boundaries make sure you stick to them otherwise, they will continue with the same behaviour for example if you say no dessert if they misbehave then keep to what you said.
5.  Dealing with negative emotions – kids can get easily frustrated when they unable to figure out a task.  Allow them to express their frustration as this will give insight about the negative emotions they have regarding themselves or their abilities.   
6. Movement breaks – incorporate enough breaks throughout the day.  It is not easy for children to sit down for a long period.  The break gives them an opportunity to refresh, quickly do something that is not their schedule or get some sun.

We can say without a doubt that, WE APPRECIATE OUR TEACHERS, as we do our best at home! The hacks we share with you are some of our lessons that the teacher that come through our doors have taught us.