For little ones, learning can seem like the antithesis of fun. School is a requirement, with the added requirements of rote memorization and daily homework assignments. Throw in standardized testing and requisite coursework and it’s no surprise that students don’t necessarily learn to love their education. Despite this, it is certainly possible to inspire young learners to truly have a passion for edification, particularly if you spark this zeal early on.
Curate a supportive environment.
When a child has the chance to learn in an environment that truly supports their growth, they’re more likely to enjoy the process of learning. However, the converse is also true—if your child’s school is not the right fit, they’re more likely to struggle and grow frustrated with their education.
Consider moving your child into a program like Muse Academy’s, where little ones’ day-to-day schooling will foster a genuine, lifelong love of learning. By visiting museacademybk.com, you can learn all about what being a Muse student can do for your favorite young learner and how you can foster that same pro-learning climate at home.
Expose them to inspiring role models.
Of course, you and the other adults in your young learner’s life can work to be positive role models with an appreciation for learning. However, having inspiring leaders to look up to outside of their daily life can help a child to better grasp just what is possible for their own future. Consider, for example, Malliha Wilson.
As the first visible minority to serve as Assistant Deputy Attorney General of the Government of Ontario, she’s a wonderful inspiration for children who are BIPOC. However, Malliha is also an active proponent of human rights, striving to make a genuine difference well beyond the jurisdiction of the Ontario government. With a muse like Malliha, it would be hard for a little one to not want to grow up and change the world.
Build a healthy mindset.
To encourage a child’s learning, a parent or other mentors has to do more than send them off to school or let them see what‘s possible. It’s equally important to foster a mindset that’s conducive to building a lifelong passion. From an early age, make it clear to your child that you believe in them.
If they’re struggling with a particular subject, encourage them while you help them through. Perhaps most importantly, maintain a positive attitude when it comes to both general learning and your little one’s school, in particular. By seeing that you—their ultimate role model—look towards learning pleasantly, they’ll be more likely to do the same.
Find ways to make learning more fun.
Not every assignment can be a game, especially as your child ages. However, it can be easy to make any subject more enjoyable. For example, try to find ways to incorporate your young learner’s interests in a lesson or homework assignment.
Mathematical concepts like fractions might be hard to grasp in a theoretical sense, but suddenly become easier to fathom when described with slices of pie. A simple metaphor connecting the subject at hand to a child’s outside passions can make the concept more easily understood and the learning process more enjoyable.
Children can start learning to love learning well before they enter kindergarten. By promoting a healthy mindset, making learning fun, offering a supportive environment, you’ll help your little one to reach their dreams no matter who their inspirations may be. With the right preparation, your child can seek out an undergraduate degree and beyond, delving into academic subjects that catch their eye while continuing to take in whatever knowledge becomes available to them. Over a lifetime, that childhood inspiration can truly become a calling.