Are you a parent who is struggling to help your child develop a love for learning? Then you are not alone. A large percentage of parents can relate and have experimented with different techniques and educational materials to help remedy this problem. It is widely known that there is not a one size fits all idea or technique when it comes on to children and learning. Our children learn in different ways. While it may seem frustrating for parents and teachers, it provides an opportunity for parents, educators, and children to highlight and bring forth certain elements of their creativity they never knew existed.
In addition to highlighting the creativity of these categories of individuals, there is also an opportunity for all parties involved to explore and learn different things. Some well-known creative ways that parents have instilled a love of learning in their children is through music, sports, and other general outdoor activities. However, other effective strategies can be used which will be discussed further in this article, including more popular strategies like music and sports.
Music
Music is widely classified as a universal sound. Artistic individuals have generally had difficulties in expressing their inner feelings and how they relate to the outside world. Expressing feelings might come out when learning a new instrument. Maybe your child would like to play the guitar. You would need to find a talented instructor who gives guitar lessons for kids. Music and other art forms have effectively been used to convey feelings, emotions, and information.
Educators have adapted to using music as a strategy to help children develop a love for learning and it has turned over positive results worldwide. It has been proven that whether or not a student may have musical abilities, they can still participate and develop a love for active learning by way of using this effective tool.
Sports and Games
A large percentage of children thrive on outdoor activities. Sports and games can be beneficial to the physical health of a child as well as their mental health. More interestingly, children have done some of their best learning outside of a classroom, home study area, or any space. Sports and games encourage children to learn and express themselves creatively and freely and parents and educators have used this factor to promote learning among children.
Children have shown major development in subject areas such as math and science and this is widely attributed to the fact that non-traditional learning methods have been tested and implemented. Parents have recognized these methods to be effective and have been encouraged to implement these methods at home from an early stage in the child’s developmental years.
Incentives and Awards
Quite often, parents misconstrue the concept of awarding children when they learn and do well educationally. While it is a child’s main responsibility to do well in school, it is good practice to award children as a way of encouragement when they do well.
Parents are encouraged to refrain from thinking about awards or incentives as a payment a child receives for accomplishing something that is their main responsibility. However, it should be looked at as a way in which we not only encourage our children but also get them to understand that there are benefits of learning. Doing well in all levels of education will eventually put them in a position to receive awards and incentives.
These awards or incentives will not only come from external sources but also internal sources. This means that eventually, they will be in a position to achieve enough to be able to reward themselves, whether this reward is by taking a vacation or buying a brand-new vehicle or house.
Practical Learning and the Outside World
When an adult is in conversation with a child, they will find that a child will use simple analogy and theories to solve complex life situations. While these theories provided by our children may need additional support to give a credible solution, the simple theory and analogy in itself usually make sense. This is because while children think along simpler lines they also think along practical lines.
Educators and parents should focus on tailoring learning materials into practical ideas that children can relate to. Once a child or even a teenager can see the connection and relation of what they are learning to the outside world, they will develop an interest and love for learning. Students need to know if their studies are relevant to their present and future daily lives. Teaching students from a practical standpoint will increase their interest in learning.
Use a Role Model
The majority of children have role models and often it is a public figure. Parents are usually aware of which public figure their children look up to and seek to emulate. Interestingly, a lot of parents are unaware that they can use this to the advantage of their children and their learning.
Parents can research these public figures and investigate to see if there are any similarities between their children and their role models. A lot of times these individuals share struggles they faced in their earlier years and many times these struggles include learning and education. They also share ways in which they managed to overcome and go on to achieve the great things that our children are witnessing and are fascinated by. If a parent should find any similarities with their child and their role models, they can use these similarities to encourage their children to love and focus on learning. This will serve as a present motivation which will result in a better approach to learning and education.
The Light at the End of the Tunnel
National publications have recognized and highlighted the new and dynamic approach to learning and it is advisable that parents follow these methods and strategies to make learning more fun and interesting for their children. While parents and children may not overcome this challenge overnight, with patience, commitment, and dedication on both sides, a deep love for learning will develop which will result in the future successes of our nation’s children.
