Love LearningTeaching children to appreciate education and the process of learning helps them maximize their innate human potential and cope effectively with life. It generates a love and enthusiasm for learning that lasts a lifetime. As a parent, you must be involved in providing this education for your child, and you must begin this process at birth.
A stimulating environment is important to brain development. Learning should be smooth and easy. If you are placing your child under stress because you are making demands that are too difficult, stop and reevaluate.
Learning should be fun. If your child does not like a particular activity or subject, try presenting it in a different manner. If the child is tired, he or she is not learning. Resist the temptation to extend learning sessions. Allow for mistakes. Do not become angry when the child struggles or makes a mistake. Children do not make mistakes on purpose, and they do not enjoy struggling to learn something new. Success is the most important ingredient in learning. Nobody likes to fail. Try to program attainable success into your child’s life.
Verbal ability is closely related to success in the language arts, particularly reading. Encourage your child to talk with you. Parents should begin reading to children at birth and continue through childhood. This actively transmits a love of learning and enthusiasm for reading. The key is to select material appropriate to the child’s age and interests.
Although a child can profit from carefully monitored television programs, particularly if the parent is available to reinforce learning, active parental participation is essential to the learning process.
When it comes to learning, silence is not golden. Do not mistake your child’s silences for understanding. Learning is noisy and animated. Watch for that fake nod of understanding or the silent plodding along.
Children’s learning is greatly affected by a number of variables – one of which is the emotional climate in the home. If your family is experiencing unusual difficulty or grief, inform the teacher.
Children love deserved, sincere praise. Children know when they have earned praise. When you offer praise, comment specifically on what you liked about the accomplishment.