As parents, we often hear, “You are your child’s first teacher.” While it’s a beautiful sentiment, let’s be honest—it can also feel like a lot of pressure. What does being their “first teacher” even mean? Are we expected to suddenly become experts in lesson plans, phonics, and art projects? Not at all. Here’s the good news: teaching doesn’t have to feel heavy, and it’s often happening naturally in the little moments you share with your child.

A Little Science Behind the Magic

The word “teach” comes from the idea of imparting knowledge or skill. But more than formal instruction, it’s about demonstrating. Research in early childhood development shows that children learn best through active engagement and play—activities where they feel connected, curious, and involved. Young brains are naturally wired to learn, and books provide a gateway to incredible adventures, new ideas, and problem-solving skills. Studies show that children learn best through connection, engagement, and repetition, and reading together ticks all those boxes!

Even if your child doesn’t fully understand every word just yet, hearing your voice, seeing the pictures, and following along helps them develop language skills, creativity, and a love of learning. And most importantly, it creates memories they’ll hold onto forever.

Learning Can Be Fun and Low-Stress

Here’s where we can all take a collective sigh of relief: being your child’s teacher doesn’t mean setting aside hours in the day to sit down with flashcards or crafting Pinterest-perfect activities. It’s about finding joy in the little moments:

• Too busy to “teach”? Grab a book, sit down for a few minutes, and read together. Use silly voices, ask questions, and point out a few words or pictures. It’s that simple.
• Feeling stressed? You don’t have to read the whole book! Instead, talk about something in the story. Even a few minutes of connection is valuable.
• Short on energy? Let the book do the heavy lifting! Let your little one ask questions, explore, and lead the way.

Bringing Stories Home: The Magic of Our Red Book Bags

Whether your little one brings one home from school or you pick one up at a Bolsitas Rojas club, these special bags help spark a love of reading. Each book is handpicked to bring joy and curiosity right into your home.

You have everything you need, and spending just a few minutes each day can make a big difference!

Moments That Last a Lifetime

What your child will remember isn’t the structure or perfection—it’s the moments you spent together. That time you read “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” with funny voices? Cherished. That time you turned a regular walk into a scavenger hunt for shapes and colors? Priceless.

So, let’s embrace the idea of being our children’s first teacher not as a burden, but as an invitation. It’s an opportunity to share stories, laughs, and wonder. You don’t have to be perfect, and you don’t have to have all the answers. All you need is to show up and enjoy the ride—and trust us, your little one will, too.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about teaching—it’s about connecting. And that connection is the most powerful lesson of all.