Every parent dreams of their child doing well in school. Yet the question of how to motivate children to study lingers in the mind of every mother and father. Learning is an integral part of growing up and is the key to the development of early personality as well as academic success. To achieve them, all parents need to know the importance of motivation in early childhood education. This motivation can be instilled with a little bit of creativity on the part of parents. The source of your child’s learning should not be limited to the pages of their course books and their classroom syllabus. Instead, for instance, learning can take place in a garden, during a baking session with your child or in an afternoon of building blocks. The educational learning that your child is exposed to is essential for the growth of their intellect. However, as a parent, you must also expose your child to other ideas and stimulants. These can act as a motivation for kids and once your child is captivated by the idea of discovering new things, they will start applying that excitement towards academic learning.
If you are still wondering how to develop an interest in studies for preschoolers, this will help you find the right learning tips for kids!
- Create a world of reading for your child.
- Give your child the freedom to choose and express feelings or emotions.
- Celebrate your child’s unique interests and let them spend more time with subjects that excite them.
- Employ the use of creative learning.
- Discuss with your child how YOU as an adult learn new things.
- Do not focus on your child’s grades or results, but be centred on their actual learning process.
- Celebrate even the smallest of your child’s achievements.
- Pay attention to what they are naturally good at.
Reading is not just limited to story books or course books. To engage your child in active reading, there is so much you can choose from! Adorn their bedroom walls with fun posters, or serve them meals on a place mat filled with text and information. There is a high possibility that the words your child is exposed to in early years will always be instilled in their long-term memory. If you have more than one child, a reading competition between the two can be a motivation for kids to read more.
When you think about how to motivate children to study, the secret lies in how to motivate them to be individuals that can think, choose and feel. At home, give your child the space and freedom to make simple decisions for themselves and the family as well. They can have a say in what they would like to have for breakfast on a Sunday morning or can be given encouragement to express when they do not like the movie you have selected for movie night. A child that thinks and feels will also develop the curiosity to learn and the confidence to emote and express in class.
If you know the importance of motivation in early childhood education, you will be able to keep track of what attracts and interests your child. This way they can be encouraged to learn about things that they find fascinating without it feeling like it is a lesson. Similarly, if a specific subject excites them, make it a point they spend more time learning it.
If you are still looking for the answer to how to develop an interest in studies for preschoolers, creative and mixed learning methods are going to be your best bet. This means your child does not have to learn from textbooks and worksheets but can be encouraged to learn using alternative methods like video clips, music, puzzles and quizzes. This will classify as playtime in your child’s mind and will facilitate learning which is also fun.
Express to your child with fascination how you learnt something new today with plenty of enthusiasm. Children often wish to emulate their parents, and once they find out their parents are still learning, it will encourage them to learn as well.
Ask your child to give you a lesson about what they learnt in school that week, so they will remember better when they recall it in their own words.
Let your child feel special each time they finish a small academic task. This will act as reinforcement and soon your child will look forward to learning more so they can have their promised breaks and celebrations. These can range from a session for video games after learning a poem, or a treat of their favourite ice—cream.
If your child is good with numbers but is not good with complex English sentences, allow them to indulge in more mathematics-related activities so they can ace it. From getting them board games that have maths as their main concept to organising a mental maths quiz in the car on the way to school, your child will benefit from knowing they are giving out the right answers. At the same time help them with their reading so they do not fall behind.
Motivating children to learn goes a long way and can set the trajectory for their entire academic career. With the help of these learning tips for kids, your pre-schoolers can be set to be highly motivated young learners who are fascinated by the ever changing world around them. When the home has an environment for dynamic and creative learning, your child will have the perfect amount of curiosity resulting in a hunger for knowledge and the desire to express themselves. Encouraging children to indulge in their innate interests can lead to them feeling motivated and confident. These tips will help you celebrate a child who is on the road to developing a dynamic personality and successful academic life.
For more information on creating a healthy learning environment at home, visit Eurokids.