My child likes to play games with me when I'm trying to teach him something

Question

I never had a problem before but my (just turned 5 year-old) suddenly won't take it seriously when I'm trying to do an educational activity with him. For example, when I try to do reading flash cards with him, he laughs with a smirk on his face and acts like he doesn't know the word .I'm so frustrated with him. He is about to start kindergarten and I'm afraid he'll "play dumb" there too. I was told by his preschool teachers that he's extremely smart and advanced for his age so I know he can do these things, and that I'm not putting too much pressure on him. I feel like a failure because I'm trying to help him reach his potential and in the end I just end up being angry because he won't do what I know he can do. Does anyone have any advice? Should I back off and stop trying to work with him when he starts the behavior or should I push him to do it?

Answer 1

maybe that's why i think all you have to do is trying some new ways or even hardening the activities for him maybe the activities are soo easy for him they become boring and he needs something more challenging .  

Answer 2

If he is extremely smart and advanced for his age, why are you pushing him to learn even more and be even farther ahead of children his own age?  How brilliant does he have to be before you will be satisfied with him?

You might be putting too much pressure on him to be smart, and at this point the fun of reading flash cards is gone because he has to get the right answers or he feels like Mommy won't like him.  Getting angry when he doesn't cooperate would make it real clear to him that Mommy has a set of tricks he darn well better learn to do because Mommy's self-esteem requires a smart child in order to feel like a good mother.

Answer 3

Sometimes kids get don't respond well when it's a parent teaching them. I'm a private tutor & I've been told that by a couple mothers already. So, they hire me. Your not a faliure. Some parents don't even make an effort like you are. You are far from a faliure. I really doubt he will "play dumb" at school. Sometimes with smaller children I find it's easier to help them if there are incentives. Ex: Tokens that will add up to a toy or if he does his work he will have 20 more minutes on his videogame. Or something to that extent. It gives them a reason to want to work harder. But you have to stick to your word. Be firm. Don't take away privlages but add them. :)

Answer 4

Stop using inappropriate techniques. You are boring him and convincing him that learning is a bad thing. Read to him and give him plenty of books to explore on his own. Provide him with fat pencils and wide ruled paper if he is interested in writing. Let the school worry about the formal teaching. If he is even reasonably bright he'll be fine.  

Answer 5

Make the things you are trying to teach him into a game, play his own "cards" against him so to speak.

Answer 6

READ A LOT TO HIM!!! Skip all of the flashcards.  Make it interesting for him.  Take him to bookstores and libraries.  Have him help "read a recipe" or make a grocery list.  It shouldn't be a chore but something built into playtime.  

Answer 7

he is a child he wants to play not  learn  you should give him play time for an hour or two and then learing time for  an hour or two .