Engage Children in Learning-Asset 22

Engage Children in Learning

To invest in this developmental asset for a child, parents and other adults are responsive, attentive, and involved in learning new things, sparking children’s interest in learning. As children mature, they are engaged in and enjoy learning and mastery of skills and knowledge.

One of the proven ways for parents and other adults to enhance a child’s enthusiasm for learning is to be enthusiastically involved in learning themselves. This means developing your own interests so children see and model the enjoyment you are getting from learning new things. For example, if you always wanted to learn how to play a guitar, buy or rent a guitar and start taking lessons, learning from books, tapes, CDs or DVDs and get pointers from others who play the guitar. Let your children see you practicing and playing the guitar and express your joys as well as challenges as you persist in mastering some songs that you can play for them.

Another way to stimulate a child’s enthusiasm for learning is to introduce them to adults who have different types of job, hobbies, traditions and beliefs. Make a point to look for such individuals in your circle of friends or co-workers and make arrangements to spend time with these interesting people. Have these folks talk to your child about what they do and what they enjoy about the activities in which they are involved. If possible, give your child the opportunity to have hands-on experience with the activity.

Don’t expect all your child’s learning to happen at school. It is always important to pay close attention to your child’s natural inclinations and interests and then to support them in exploring these interests. Look for and create opportunities for your child to become more deeply involved in the things they are naturally motivated to learn about. Keep stretching their minds with stories, games, outings and discussions whenever you are together. For example, if your child shows fascination with outer space, check out books from the library on the subject, do searches with them on the Internet for more information or visit an air and space museum together. Help your child write a letter to an astronaut or enroll them in Space Camp. Make it your own study to learn more about the activity or subject your child is interested in so you can become an additional resource for their learning process.

When ever possible discuss your child’s feelings and help them learn feeling words by listening to how they feel and reflecting back to them the appropriate words to describe their feelings. Also, when ever possible engage your child’s imagination. If they show an interest in music, for instance, ask them to imagine how their favorite musical performer spent their time when they were young and wanting to learn more about music.

If you would like more information on this asset or have questions, please call or email me. Remember, never stop learning. This is teaching your child a great lesson.