Have you heard the saying, “Learning is as easy as 1, 2, 3? In some respects, that is true.

Of course, the conditions must be right.

Thinking back to your younger years, what time or event marked the most

memorable learning experience for you? I can remember sitting on my dad’s belly while he rested on the couch and pretended to listen to me read. I’m not sure exactly what words were correctly stated, but to me, I was a big girl at age 4.

I remember telling my grandparents, “I can read!” With that said, they introduced me to the Bible. I found my favorite stool in the kitchen of my grandmother’s house and proceeded to read while she cooked. I learned a great deal from questioning her interpretations, but for a young girl, the Bible was difficult to understand at times.

The best part of being introduced to literature and reading materials at an early age is that I was unafraid to enter kindergarten or to read aloud in first grade. This was a huge self-esteem booster. The only factor missing was the opportunity to shop for interesting books that a child in primary school would enjoy. I don’t remember taking trips to the store or library to purchase or check out books that appealed to me at that time in my life. Therefore, as I grew older I never became one of those stereotyped students who always had a book in my hand. Yet, I do believe reading inspired me to write.

There are many simple, cost-effective activities that parents can initiate with children to enrich their learning experiences. I remember playing the alphabet game in the car while traveling. I also remember writing down the grocery list for my mother while she searched the refrigerator or pantry to see what was missing. There were also times she let me pay for a pack of gum or a candy bar. Of course, she would give me just enough money so I wouldn’t feel embarrassed if I didn’t comprehend the exact amount that was required for the item purchased.

It wasn’t until I was an adult that I realized how important it is to teach children at an early age to read, draw, write, participate in extracurricular activities, and learn life skills that might even save their lives one day.

My mother always expressed the significance of being prepared, neat and presentable. However, once I realized I had become a true “perfectionist,” I thought how crucial it must be for me as a mom to channel my suggestions and instructions in a way that will benefit my children if they are the same as me.

For example, I heard a teacher state the other day that a student threw away his project because he didn’t think it was good enough. Isn’t that what a perfectionist might consider doing? However, an “F” to one person might be an “A” to another.

I’ve seen students literally shut down in class because they weren’t sure if they knew the correct answer to a question and didn’t want to be embarrassed if they were wrong.

Last Sunday in church, my daughter wrote on a piece of paper, “I love mom and dad … GOD and JEESUS.” As an English instructor, I wanted to quickly cross out the second “E.” Yet, as a mom, I knew it would crush her self-esteem. I just looked at her, smiled and said, “Sweet!” Then, a few minutes later, she handed me the paper and said, “Your turn, mother.” I wrote: “I love my girls, GOD, and JESUS.” When she received it, she examined the writing and then quickly turned the paper back over and corrected her mistake. Then, she looked up at me and smiled.

I wish all parenting scenarios were this easy!

Dr. Sonya Rogers is a certified counselor who serves as an English instructor for Daphne Middle School and Faulkner State Community College.