How to help your child develop a love for learning? 5 simple things all parents can do at home.

“Develop a love for learning in your children. If you do, they will never cease to grow”Anthony J. D’Angelo

As parents, we all struggle to figure out what is the best we can do for our children, to prepare them for their future- a future that is bright and full of possibilities and success.

Do you worry and wonder which skills your child will need for this successful future?

Let’s talk about a skill called ‘Love Of Learning’. If we can help our children fall in love with learning- learning new things, new skills, new knowedge, then we have laid the foundation for their successful future because the future only needs our children to be able to learn and unlearn and relearn. And if that learning is fun, then the journey becomes easy. So its best that this love for learning is developed right from early childhood.

But how is that possible you ask? Don’t worry, help is at hand. Here we share 5 things parents can do to develop a love for learning in young children.

1. BUILD CURIOSITY – Curiosity is key to effective learning. Allowing children to explore and express themselves freely helps them be interested in a task.
   PRO TIP- Let children do tasks where there is no single way of doing things, children can try different methods and answers can be different. Also called open ended play. Eg: Lego toys, Clay and Art and Craft activities.
2. KEEP THEM ENGAGED – Involving children in play activities results in helping them develop a love for learning new things. Play and toys stimulate the child’s mind and help make connections in the brain stronger. This makes our children smarter. Eg: Use all kinds of toys.
   PRO TIP- Use objects from around the house as toys- Children love to play with brooms, kitchen utensils( safety disclaimer), old clothes.

   RESEARCH SAYS – Early childhood learning and play are fundamentally social activities and fuel the development of language and thought.

3. BE RESPONSIVE AND FLEXIBLE – in dealing with children. Give them comfort and freedom of expression when they share their likes and dislikes. Giving constant instructions makes them either shy or stubborn. Eg: If they say they don’t want to do something, respect the choice they make and ask them why.PRO TIP- Listening is better than speaking. Listen to your child and nod, or say “ah interesting!” “Tell me more”…
4. TURN LEARNING INTO ENTERTAINMENT by doing a variety of activities. Read the stories to your children and ask them to tell you what they liked most. Eg: Taking them for a walk, encouraging them to make friends (safety disclaimer), discovering nature, smelling the flowers, and discussing different smells and colours are excellent activities for learning with fun.PRO TIP – Allowing children to select the games of their interest enhances their learning.
   
   RESEARCH SAYS – There need to be opportunities for each child to make meaning of their own experiences. The exposition of new ideas increases brain performance. Moreover, children retain an interest in learning while doing new things.
5. BE ROLE MODELS – Actions are more impactful than words. Demonstrate, show your children how you want them to be. Children copy what they see. A parent is the first person a child looks up to. So make sure, they see good examples. Eg: Talk in full
   sentences to your children, no baby language with children.

   PRO TIP – Put that phone down and hold a book in your hand. Let them see you
   read.

Just these 5 small additions in your daily routine, will go a long long way in helping your children learn as well as have fun. Start today and tell us which one idea was your favourite.