How To Instill A Love Of Learning In Children
Most, if not all, children have a natural curiosity to learn more about the world. However, a parent should enhance this inclination early, which children can use when they’re older. Some kids eventually lose their love of learning to the point where they outright refuse to go to school and find homework a chore.
It isn’t easy to nurture a passion for learning in children if you’re not an avid learner. But there are methods you, as a parent, can do to help your young kids appreciate learning and exploring new ideas and skills. Keep reading to learn more:
- Use Toys And Puzzles
Toys aren’t just for playtime. As a matter of fact, they’re the ideal tools for teaching specific lessons to kids in a fun way. Children learn by doing. Take, for example, teaching a baby to talk. You don’t tell them the technicalities of speaking. You talk to them, and the child observes and imitates until they say a word.
Playing with complex toys and puzzles gets the gears in a kid’s brain to work. Play teaches them to count, analyse and sort objects by category. Most preschools use playtime to teach children valuable skills to bring to adulthood. If your child is already in school, coordinate with their teachers so their lessons can continue at home. You can check out learning centres that encourage this on sites like https://www.littlescribblers.com.au.
Aside from lessons in school and playtime, incorporate simple games in your daily activities with chilfren. Consider games like ‘I Spy’ during trips around the neighbourhood or napkin origami in the kitchen. Children will fine-tune their motor skills and learn new vocabulary. Introducing different styles and opportunities for learning will teach your child that there’s always something new to discover, wherever and whenever.
- Encourage Free Expression
Some families make the mistake of prohibiting their children from speaking their minds, which is unhealthy for their development. Kids are people too. They have thoughts and opinions, and you must allow them to express these.
Ask what they think about and feel after every fun session. Parents can learn much from their children just by asking this simple question. When your child expresses their thoughts and ideas or says something wrong, avoid shutting them down and judging them. Instead, keep asking questions calmly. Kids are intelligent and naturally observant. They can eventually figure out things on their own.
Knowing their opinions on certain situations also helps create a safer environment for them to live, learn and play in. Your kid will respect and love you more as you respect them and value their thoughts. That’s the beginning of a strong bond between parent and child, which you shouldn’t take for granted.
- Read To Them
If you’ve never read to your kids when they were still infants, now’s the perfect time to get to it. Reading is important for children and is one of the best ways to widen their vocabulary. It also activates their imagination and creativity, which they need for problem-solving.
It’s best to read books appropriate for their age level so that they won’t get discouraged from reading. Advanced books may be too much for a young child. Conversely, books that are too easy won’t provide opportunities for your kid to practice and enhance their reading comprehension.
Consider making reading time a bonding activity between you and your kid, especially if they’re in preschool. You can start with a few pages, then take turns with them to let them read aloud. As they’re having fun reading books with you, they’ll view reading as an enjoyable activity and not a tiring task that they have to do for school.
- Revisit Your Inner Child
As mentioned earlier, kids are naturally curious. They learn by asking a lot of questions about things they find interesting. Now that you’re an adult, you think you already know what there is to know about the world. But when you internalise how a typical kid will act, you’ll realise how being inquisitive about everything has its benefits.
Try questioning how everyday objects, such as RC cars or light bulbs, work. Then do this same method with your child. It’s a great way to learn new things together. Your kid will also see how keen you are to know about everyday items just as they are. By watching you, they’ll feel free to question things and discover facts and not just accept everything on the surface level.
- Always Show Support
All the activities you do to instill further the love of learning in children will only work if you show enthusiasm. Parents must always be supportive of their kids, especially with hobbies and classes at school. Limit the discouraging comments when your child does or learns something new. They’ll lose their eagerness to gather knowledge independently or from teachers.
Your emotional support strengthens your bond with your children and ingrains better self-confidence in themselves. When your kid enters school, they’ll experience more failures and make mistakes. You need to be there and encourage them never to stop trying to improve. They’ll remember that you stayed by their side and keep that with them for life.
Final Thoughts
Society and certain schools often have unrealistic standards which may impede your child’s zeal to learn. As their parent, you must guide them well and motivate them to be better learners. You’re their first teacher, after all. Start while they’re very young and continue your efforts even when they become independent.
