For most moms, instilling a love of learning is essential to protecting and improving a child’s overall well-being. And while encouraging learning in children may seem like a daunting task, it can actually be quite simple. Tips like the following can help even the busiest moms integrate learning into the daily lives of their children.
Lead by Example
When children see their parents taking an active interest in learning, they’ll want to follow suit. Teaching by example is an excellent way for parents to encourage active learning and developmental growth, and can also promote parent/child bonding and shared interests. One great way for moms and dads to lead by example is by pursuing educational hobbies. Collecting, visiting museums and art exhibits, going to plays, lectures, etc. are all good options.
Read to Your Children
It’s a known fact that avid readers are also avid learners. And since an early interest in reading will best promote a lifelong love of literature, it’s important for parents to read to their children from a young age. By reading bedtime stories, making frequent trips to bookstores and libraries, keeping a wide variety of books in the home and making every effort to show an excitement for literature, parents are more likely to instill in their children a deep love of the written word.
Facilitate Learning and Creativity
In addition to stocking bookshelves, parents can help encourage learning by keeping various educational tools on-hand in the home. For example, by making the following items easily accessible to children, parents can facilitate creativity, learning and a wide variety of interests in children of all ages.
~ Art supplies like paints, paper, brushes, modeling clay, sidewalk chalk, etc.
~ Musical instruments
~ Educational films, such as historical movies or documentaries. DISH network features educational programs on a regular basis
~ Art prints, reproductions of famous sculptures, etc
~ Building blocks and other toys that stimulate hand/eye coordination, planning and logical thinking
Play Games with Your Children
Board games are often seen as a positive way to pass the time and promote bonding. What’s more, they can also be used in an educational manner. Studies show that many popular board games provide a number of benefits to children, including those that pertain to intellectual development. Strategic thinking, learning to work as both an individual and part of a group, goal-setting, memorization, reading, spelling and creative expression can all come into play on family game night.
Don’t Discount Electronics
Electronic devices often get a bad reputation, especially when it comes to education and learning. However, studies show that parents shouldn’t be too quick to discount the educational purposes of video games and hand held devices. While spending too much time on video games or the Internet can be detrimental, electronics can actually help further your child’s intellectual growth. For example, video games can help improve hand-eye coordination as well as nurture critical thinking skills. And when it comes to cell phones and other hand held devices, there are countless educational applications that can help kids in every subject. Plus, most educational apps are either cheaply priced or, in some cases, free of charge.
Enjoy these simple and effective tips on encouraging and facilitating learning in your children! Do you have any tips that have worked for you?
