Every day is a chance to learn, but, sometimes children need a little encouragement! As curriculums change and children grow, more responsibility is placed on little ones to take control of their learning. But, how can families inspire children to enjoy studying and develop healthy learning habits?
“Success is a journey, not a destination. The process is often more important than the outcome” – Arthur Ashe.
While some people are blessed with a knack to excel in all subjects, many people find that they have areas of weakness. These weaknesses are natural. It is essential to build children’s self-esteem by focusing on the process of learning, rather than the outcome. If they are a whiz with words but, get mixed up when it comes to maths, try to empathise with them. Encourage them with comments that boost their confidence and encourage them to persevere. Explain that the process of learning is testing but, it is also teaching them to be brave in their problem solving (just like their favourite superheroes!)
“A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new” – Albert Einstein.
As adults, we acknowledge that mistakes are as important as successes. But, when a child first encounters a tricky learning task, it can be tough. Providing a learning environment that embraces mistakes can help children become more flexible in their approach to problem-solving and develop resilience. This nurturing type of situation does not mean that you have to jump to the rescue when a child makes a mistake. Instead, the focus of supporting them to find the solution as this will only empower them even further. It can also help to provide examples of your setbacks and how you learned from them so that children can understand they are not alone.
“If a child can’t learn the way we teach them, maybe we should teach the way they learn” – Ignacio Estrada
We all have a preferred way of learning, and there is a chance that you will have a different learning style to your child. With this in mind, it’s essential to focus on the way that they learn rather than how you best absorb information. If you are unsure of your child’s learning style, don’t be afraid to trial different ways of teaching. Some approaches will work, some won’t but, when you begin to establish the methods that work best for your child, you can then incorporate the things that help them thrive. Additionally, talk to your child’s teachers and understand how they accommodate your child’s learning style at school.
“The future belongs to the curious” – Anonymous.
What is your child passionate about? Whether it’s Disney Princesses, understanding animals or exploring space, we’re all more invested in the things we’re interested in. For example, if your child wants to be best friends with Buzz Lightyear, why not encourage them to develop their literacy skills by reading one of the Toy Story 4 eBooks on our tablet? Or introduce them to physics through fun games such as ‘Where’s My Water? 2’, a puzzle game which helps children explore gravity, water and how material travels.
The most critical factor in encouraging learning is fun. Learning doesn’t have to be linear; it can be messy. It can be creative. It can be entirely unique for you and your child. As long as your child is inspired to learn, they’re already making progress. What are your top tips to inspire children to learn?