How to help your kids develop a love for learning?
Kids are naturally curious. Even as babies, they’re constantly learning as they take in sights, sounds, and smells. If you’ve had kids go through the toddler years, you’ve probably heard the word “why” more times than you could count!
It’s natural for your children to question the ways of the world. But if that curiosity were to stop, as it does in some people, you might be wondering how to encourage child curiosity once more.
You can be a significant influence on your child’s love for learning. There are so many ways to instill a love of learning in your kids, and with a few simple strategies, you’ll find your children asking “why” once more.
Here’s how to help your kids develop a love for learning that will last a lifetime. Remember that this is a journey you and your children will go on together — it’s more about the journey rather than the result.
Help them discover their own interests and passions
Before you help them develop a more profound love for learning, you have to help them discover their own interests and passions. Imagine someone trying to get you to like something you have zero interest in — it’s not that easy! That’s why starting with their interests is best.
Ask your child about their interests, like what they are reading, watching, and learning in school. Create a list with your kids of what they like or dislike. Once you have curated a list, help your child find materials about a topic.
For example, if your child likes to see the way motors or engines work in a car, take them to a car show or find books and videos about vehicles to instill their curiosity further.
Provide different experiences for different learners
Have you ever wondered why kids bring home hands-on projects, books, writing assignments, and sometimes don’t have homework at all? That’s because there are different types of learning. There’s no correct way to learn, and usually, kids have a mixture of learning styles.
The different learning styles include:
- Auditory: Auditory learners learn best by hearing or listening to someone speak or even through watching videos.
- Visual: Visual learners enjoy learning through sight.
- Reading and writing: Children who like to read and write will probably learn best through note-taking or reading books and articles.
- Kinesthetic: Kinesthetic learners take in information best when moving and doing things, like hands-on experiences.
These learning types often overlap, which is why kids have various experiences in school. The teacher typically caters to all learning types, and you can further enhance that with them at home.
Let them initiate their own learning experiences
Provide opportunities for your kids to initiate their own learning experiences. Part of how to help your kids love learning is by letting them take the initiative in their education.
You can keep books and learning materials at eye level or on lower shelves so your children can easily see them. Additionally, you can hang interesting artwork at their level to help stimulate their senses on their own.
Any time your child finds interest in something, let them be curious on their own instead of disrupting their learning process. Let them come to you with questions rather than you asking them questions. Every child has their own natural learning style, and if you encourage and nurture them in learning the way they need to, they’ll carry that into adulthood.
Be interested with them
When you show any interest in learning, your children will, too. If they’re excited about a topic they’re learning, show interest with them. Get excited that they are falling in love with learning. Ask them questions about the subject and provide experiences for them to learn more about it.
Additionally, you should explore your own interests alongside your children. Talk with your children about things you’re learning. You can both learn from one another!
Make learning fun
One of the best solutions for how to encourage learning with your kids is by making learning fun. Once kids get to school, they might equate learning with textbooks, lectures, and other activities that aren’t the most enjoyable. You can make even the most uninteresting subjects fun for your kids through games and songs and other activities.
If your child is losing interest in a subject, make sure to take breaks so your child won’t completely lose their steam. A positive outlook on learning will result in more significant learning benefits for the future.
Be persistent in the learning journey
As a parent, you want to be involved in your children’s lives. Throughout their development of a love for learning, continue to be persistent and encouraging for your child. Focus on the present rather than the end goal, and remember to take breaks when your child seems to lose interest.
Provide your child with room for experimentation, and even with some failure, and you’ll be able to watch the love of learning grow in your kids.