Children start out with a natural love of learning, but somehow over the years, we tend to quench this need to learn and improve oneself.
Babies have a natural curiosity and it is our job to help that natural love of learning grow. Babies soak up the information that surrounds them, but somewhere along the way, many children lose their love of learning and even grow to dislike school. It is a good thing that smart parents can help children develop and cultivate their need to learn throughout their life. Just follow these five strategies and kids will start to enjoy learning again.
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1. Children Learn From Other Children
Children look up to other children. So young children can learn from their older peers. They will try something that they have seen an older child do. They learn skills such as patience and teaching. Both younger and older children can learn from each other and this teaches them to learn and teach skills throughout their life.
Parents who combine learning activities with fun for groups of children can maintain a child’s interest. Activities like music lessons for beginners, art lessons, and role play can help a child develop a love of learning.
2. Children Learn by Watching and Doing
Children learn by watching and doing. You don’t tell a child how to learn to speak or walk. They just watch and do it. They fall, adjust the balance, and try again. Babies practice until they learn to speak and walk. Parents need to encourage but allow the child to learn as he or she best can. Making learning relevant to life makes it interesting for a child.
Parents can help a child continue to love to learn by allowing him to lead. Let the child lead you on the next learning adventure and always answer their questions neatly and concisely. Answer in a simple way and allow them to ask the next question. Watch for their interests and you will know where to place your efforts.
3. Allow a Child to Learn Things That Interest Him
We all know the child that loves to dance and sing. The child who can name all the spots on a leopard or the child who knows everything about the sea but can’t remember who Cristopher Columbus was. This is because they learn about the things that interest them. It was their questions that got answered.
4. Become a Student
Children love to share what they learn. When a child learns something new, he loves to share it. Take an interest and allow them to tell you about it. Language acquisition can be something you both share and learn together. This can be the perfect time to start a child out in learning a new language.
5. Know That You Don’t Know Everything
Adults don’t often like to say they don’t know, but a child needs to hear you say it. But he also needs to know you are willing to find out. Teach your child to find answers and learn together. Ask the child what he thinks and how he thinks something works. Help him come to a decision by giving him options.
These are five ways you can enjoy the wonder of learning with a child and at the same time teach them to enjoy the path of lifelong learning. Just remember to avoid being negative. Stop yourself from telling a child that they are doing something wrong. Kids are proud of the things they learn, even if they don’t have it exactly right. Don’t say, “No, you did this wrong.” Instead, you might say, “Let’s try it this way. It might be easier.”
It is important to allow a child to fail. Nobody is perfect, but children shouldn’t be prevented from trying. It is important for a child to learn that nobody is perfect and not everyone can do everything well. What is important is to learn to deal with failure and go and try again. This gives a child the ability to use his imagination to find alternative ways of doing things.
