Our children may not like the idea of going to school, but it’s something that we may only become aware of after we’ve left education: that learning is something that truly can give us the keys to a better life. This is why it’s so important to help our children develop a love of learning as young as possible. But how can we do this?
Make Learning Fun
Half of the problem in school is that there are so many different subjects that can seem very dry. But there are ways to make learning fun through more creative practices. You could incorporate arts, creative writing, and other learning methods to ensure that children can engage with the subject matter more effectively. This is especially true if your children are still getting to grips with reading but there are many audio books for kids that can provide them with another perspective. When we make learning fun, it will pique their curiosity.
Find Their Learning Style
There are three key styles of learning: visual, auditory, and kinaesthetic. When you find the learning style that suits your child, it will help them to learn more effectively. One of the major issues with traditional education is that it only encourages reading as a key learning style. Because many children experience issues with dyslexia and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, finding different ways to learn is essential. There are many tests online that you can find to get a better idea of their learning style.
Have Reasonable Expectations
This is very important, especially if you are force-feeding the idea of learning. You’ve got to have reasonable expectations for them because there will be times when your child struggles to learn. But it’s important that, with every step back they take, you shouldn’t put any more pressure on them to be excellent in school. It is far better to think about the big picture in this respect. If your child feels the pressure to have excellent grades all of the time, this is where the adage of “working smart rather than working hard” can be beneficial. For example, you can use your time better to ensure that they have a break from learning. If they are overworked, giving them time off to have a nap can help to consolidate a lot of what they’ve learned.
Discuss, Do Not Lecture
When our children have questions, we need to turn them into a conversation rather than us answering it for them. This is one of the benefits of being naturally curious because you can ask your children many questions to stimulate their curiosity. Having a conversation with open-ended questions can be a great way for your child to think about a subject. This is one of those skills that will not just serve them well by the time they head off to college but can give them a thorough grounding in problem-solving and analytical skills for the rest of their life.
Encouraging our children to love learning is a battle, but we also need to remember that it is about playing the long game.
