Learning is a huge part of your child’s life. However, it can easily become a “chore” once they enter school, so making sure they experience learning as a fun and positive activity can make all the difference in their development and overall future. Here are a few tips on making your child fall in love with learning so that you can rest assured that they will enjoy every moment of acquiring new knowledge!
Creating an inspiring learning space
Reading is a gateway to knowledge. Not only do we learn new things by reading, but we also develop our vocabularies, learn to process information, and develop our cognitive skills. Instilling the habit of reading in your child from a young age will thus benefit them in their future schooling. Making sure that your child does not experience reading as punishment is paramount. Create a dedicated reading corner in their room that will make them eager to spend time in it. Add comfortable seating, such as a bean bag, make the atmosphere cozy with lighting, and turn this corner into an inviting hideout where they will be able to jump into another world through reading.
Providing them with opportunities
When your child is willing to learn, encouraging them is very important. You can do that by providing them with plenty of opportunities for learning. When they are still small, give them some space so that they can experiment by themselves and discover new things. When they get older, surround them with books. When they are interested in a topic or are learning about something new in school, allow them to experience the subject first-hand. For instance, when they are learning about nature, go on walks and show them everything in person. When they get into dinosaurs or space, take them to museums. Hands-on experience will enrich their learning journey and make it more interesting.
Focusing on their interests
Your child will naturally develop their own interests, and focusing on these will make them enthusiastic about learning. When they are curious about a topic, learning comes naturally, and it’s much more fun. So, ask them about their interests and talk to them about these topics more often. Buy them books on the topics and engage in games where they can show their knowledge. When they ask questions, don’t brush them off even if you don’t know the answer yourself. Instead of being annoyed by the incessant questions, ask them what they think the answer is or find the answer together on the internet.
Learning with company
Children learn a lot by themselves, but once they reach the age of about 3, they learn even more if they have company. So, allowing them to play with other children is very beneficial for their development. Not only will they learn new things from each other, but they will also get to acquire essential social and emotional skills through playing together. For that reason, enrolling your child in an early learning centre pays off. In renowned child care centres, qualified instructors will know how to approach teaching in a way that promotes a love for learning. For instance, the multicultural West Ryde child care centre emphasizes a stimulating environment where learning simply comes naturally. Remember that choosing the right child care is paramount since it will greatly shape your child’s experience.
Practising positive reinforcement
While learning can be fun, it does not mean that it’s easy. You need to keep your child motivated so that they don’t get discouraged by obstacles in their learning journey. This is why it’s paramount that your child receives positive reinforcement for their learning efforts. However, not all praise is worth the same, and you can easily reach the opposite effect if you are not careful. Praise mustn’t be empty – general compliments are too vague and after a while, they become meaningless. Point out the specific things your child did well. In addition, when giving feedback, you should focus on your child’s effort rather than their personal qualities or the outcome, since effort is something they can influence and improve next time.
Learning through games
Finally, if your child finds learning a chore, a good way to show them that it can be fun is simply through playing! Games engage your child’s attention like nothing else, so not only will they learn easier when they get immersed in a game-like experience, but they will also realize that learning does not have to be boring. This method will especially come in handy when your child is struggling to grasp a concept, but you can also simply implement it in your everyday life. For instance, ask them how many plants on your way home they can name, or help them develop their coordination through dancing. Use your imagination and come up with creative activities that both teach and entertain.
Promoting a positive attitude towards learning from an early age will give your child a solid basis for their further education. Implement the aforementioned methods and show them that learning is worth the effort.
