When Barack Obama became the first black President of the United States in November 2008, teachers in Singapore found themselves with the perfect “teachable moment”. Here was the chance to teach kids about race relations and to ask, “Should skin colour matter more than your skills and talents?

So, what actually is a “teachable moment” and why is it so important? 

A teachable moment is an unplanned opportunity that arises where a teacher has a chance to offer insight to students. It is a fleeting moment that must be sensed and seized by the teacher, or forever be lost. For example, one day, you happen to see a child being taunted for being overweight. You can scold the children responsible for the taunting or it take one step further – talk to them about kindness and tell them about the Confucian principle: "Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself". This unplanned lesson is what is called a “teachable moment”.

Everyday moments

Remember, how you learnt about the importance of honesty and responsibility? Chances are, such moral values were learnt during casual interactions between you and your parents. For instance, you may have learnt the value of honesty your father returned the extra money that a shopkeeper had given to him by mistake. Teachable moments can happen anytime. They may arise in very mundane situations, or in circumstances that are unusual and unlikely to occur again. While a teachable moment is essentially unplanned, at times, it is possible to create situations that encourage it. Excursions outside the classroom tend to produce more of such moments. For instance, when students ask questions during a school trip the zoo, the teacher could easily introduce the concept of wildlife conservation to them.   

Five Ways To Recognise Teachable Moments

The ability to recognize and capitalize on "teachable moments" in everyday life is an important skill for teachers to learn. Here are some tips:
1. Listen and observe behaviour
 If the children show interest in a certain topic, ask open-ended questions.  Listen to what they’re saying and encourage discussion.
2. Look at everyday situations, the media and popular culture as opportunities
 Use these to teach  about moral values or other school-related subjects.
3. Don’t allow the fear of failure to take over
If things didn’t turn out as you anticipated, recognise that you may need time to get better at it.
4. Push yourself think differently
If you usually like to plan, imagine taking the opposite step, which may present more opportunities for teachable moments.
5. Assess situations for teachable moments
 Make this a habit. Some teachers anticipate teachable moments before they happen so they can plan what to talk about. 
Above all, teachable moments require being open-minded. Try never to waste them for they will never come again! Enjoy the beauty of a teachable moment, when both teacher and student become enthusiastic, making learning a joy.

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