Quote of the Day

From the excellent The Art of Teaching by Gilbert Highet, on parents as teachers: (emphases mine)

Children ask thousands of questions, because their world is all new, all strange and bright. If they ask at the wrong time, when we are fishing out the laundry or trying to get them to sleep, they should -- no, they should not be shut up, they should be told: "Ask me again, at breakfast-time, will you?" When they ask at the right time, they should always be answered ... Of course it is difficult to answer all their questions. It is impossible to answer some of them completely. But an answer should be given, if only to keep them interested in learning and friendly to their parents, for that is what all children are naturally, and anything else is a distortion. When they ask "Where does the rain come from?" tell them. If you don't know, tell them that too, and promise to find out. It is hard for them to think you know everything. It is good for them to think you like learning: that you find the world a place to enjoy, and not a mere factory to work in.