It’s a Thursday afternoon, which means it’s your turn to take your child and two of their classmates - whose parents you are friends with - home from school. They’re all in a typically excitable mood, and you’re having to keep up a brisk pace as you walk behind them. While you’re overhearing their conversation, you notice that they begin to talk about each other’s middle names. The two other children both eagerly state their full names, before asking your little one what theirs is. And then, to your disbelief, they say: “Ermm… I don’t know”.

Naturally, a wave of confusion and guilt hits you. You start frantically trying to think of a time when you mentioned your child’s full name to them. How have I never thought to teach my child their middle name? Are they the only person in their class who doesn't know? And what other basic knowledge are they lacking?

First and foremost, don’t panic! With all the endless tasks and responsibilities of raising a child, it is very common for parents to realise that they have forgotten to teach their child certain pieces of information.

However, as your child grows older, there are some things that it is important for them to have at least a basic understanding of.

Before providing some tips for improving your child’s basic knowledge, let’s take a look at which things may be particularly useful for your child to know.

What basic knowledge should my child have?

Now, before we begin, we want to emphasise that there are no strict guidelines that determine how much basic knowledge a child should have. Some parents will prioritise general knowledge less than others, and that is absolutely fine! Also, even if you think your child is behind their classmates in terms of basic knowledge, then don’t worry - as they get older, they will eventually pick up more and more facts about the world.

However, if you are interested in improving your child’s basic knowledge, here are some things that may be particularly beneficial for them to know:

Days, months and years. It is useful for your little one to know the days of the week and the months of the year. As well as this, you may wish to keep them aware of the current date, including the year!

Dates. Make sure your child is aware of notable dates in the year. This includes their birthday, close family birthdays, Christmas, and the New Year.

Food. Food plays a central role in all our lives, so it is good to ensure that your child knows about what they are eating. For instance, inform them that apples grow on trees, or that bacon comes from a pig.

Geography. As your child grows older, it can be beneficial for them to know some basic geographical facts. For example, that London is the capital of England, or that Europe is a continent.

Animals. Your child has a unique wonder for nature. Engage their curiosity by teaching them how to identify a dog from a cat, or a cow from a horse.

Life skills. Not all important knowledge is simply words to be remembered! Make sure your child knows some general life skills, such as how to express gratitude by saying thank you, or how to wash their hands after they’ve been to the toilet.

So, now that we’ve seen some examples of basic knowledge that may be useful for your child to be aware of, how can you improve their general knowledge?

How can I improve my child’s basic knowledge?

Focus on one at a time. It is important that you don’t overwhelm your child with large bunches of facts. Not only can this put pressure on them, but they are also less likely to retain any of the information. Rather, choose one simple piece of basic knowledge at a time.

Make it fun. Children are far better learners when the teaching is fun and engaging. Be creative, and come up with rhymes or games that can make basic facts seem entertaining to your child!

Show and tell. Where appropriate, rather than simply telling your child about a particular fact, use real-life examples to show them at the same time. For example, if you are teaching them about the sound that a dog makes, then take them to your local park so that they can hear barks all around them while you tell them.

Make it natural. It’s best not to force the knowledge-giving process. Instead of telling them directly to “remember that Monday is the first day of the week”, try to slip it naturally into a monologue or conversation by saying, “you’ll be back at school tomorrow because it’s going to be a Monday, which is the first day of the week”.

Engage in your child’s questions. By really immersing yourself in your child’s questions and conversations, you may begin to realise that, without even thinking about it, you are providing your little one with some great general knowledge. Children are typically very inquisitive, so don’t be afraid to keep answering your child’s questions with additional pieces of information.

How can I improve my child’s basic knowledge?

There's a lot parents can achieve at home, says Unii.