How to Help Your Child Love Learning
How to help your child love learning
During your child’s earliest years, they are learning so many things very quickly. It can sometimes feel overwhelming as a parent trying to navigate what you should be doing to help and teach your child, trying to determine if they are keeping up and learning enough, or if they are falling behind. But I have some really good news for you. Children’s brains are incredible at learning, and they can find learning from every experience. And because of this, they are able to quickly “catch up” and learn the things they are behind on.
This means that there is only one thing that is the most crucial for your child to be learning in early childhood: how to learn, and love it! Since you are the parent, one of your main roles is being the first teacher. Therefore, one of the most important things you can do as a parent is help your child develop a love of learning.
Why should children love learning
Learning is such a fundamental part of life, one that never goes away. However, learning often gets a bad rap. Sometimes learning is portrayed as hard, something you have to do, mundane, boring, or a sign of weakness. This could not be further from the truth. As humans, we are constantly learning new things. That’s one of the most exciting parts of being human. So if you can help your child love learning, they will be set on a path of loving life.
How to help your child love learning
Here are 6 ways you can help cultivate your child’s love of learning:
- Make learning a part of everyday life
- Follow your child’s interests
- Incorporate 5 senses
- Do a variety of activities
- Stretch and expand children’s abilities
- Be engaging and relevant to your child’s life
Make learning a part of everyday life
Learn and use strategies that extend learning while doing all the things you are already doing. When you start to notice and expand on the learning that is already happening everyday, it sets your child up to see learning as an ongoing thing rather than a chore to check off the to do list.
Follow your child’s interests
Take a deep dive into the things your child finds interesting. Let their curiosity guide the learning that is happening in your home.
Incorporate 5 senses
Remember, everything is new to children. Things you may take for granted as a normal, mundane thing, may be new and exciting to your child. Help them take in the world around them by exploring it with all their senses.
Do a variety of activities
Everyone gets bored doing the same thing over and over again. Children can learn the same concepts in a variety of ways, and they greatly benefit from a variety of experiences.
Stretch and expand children’s abilities
Learning happens right outside of the skills your child has already mastered. Encourage them to stretch themselves and try new things because that is how they will master higher level skills.
Be engaging and relevant to your child’s life
Most importantly, learning should be fun! Don’t be afraid to try new things and run with the ones that your child loves.
Children come into the world naturally curious and ready to learn. As a parent, you set the tone for their lifelong learning journey. You can intentionally foster a love of learning within your child, family, home, and self. This will create magical moments together right now, and set your child on a path of success.