All of us (whether children or adults) will learn more when we are motivated.
We learn what is of relevance to us. We pursue what we enjoy.
Does your child ENJOY learning? Or, is learning something that is seen as a requirement, confined to the four walls of a school?
During this time of isolation - when so many families are suddenly responsible for the education of their children - you might find your child isn’t exactly enthused about completing that math lesson or reading aloud to you for 20 minutes. The line between being a parent and teacher is blurred.
I certainly don’t buy into the theory that everything for our children needs to be “fun” - but I am a firm believer that learning can be fun and when we educate our children at home we have a unique opportunity to show them what a joy learning can be.
Meet Your Children Where They Are
Doesn’t this go against the way we (the parents) were educated?
I don’t know about you, but I was educated in a public school classroom with 20-25 other children. We were given an assignment and expected to complete it. All children were brought to the same level and educated from there.
Guess what? Your child may be above grade level or below grade level (But who even defines “at grade level”? Don’t get me started.) Let children start where they are comfortable. Let them backtrack a little and do a few things with great success.
Examples:
Assign easier math problems - let your child play on a math app below their level to gain confidence. They are still practicing skills.
Ask your children what interests them - pay attention to this! Does your child love to play with LEGOS? You can learn a lot from LEGO bricks. Does your child want to learn to cook? Do a lot of cooking. You can take interests and cultivate them. That is LEARNING, and that is FUN!
Allow your children to read below their normal level - can they read to younger siblings? To you? Let them read for enjoyment and don’t require a book report or comprehension questions.
When you eliminate traditional constraints children begin to enjoy learning. Be patient and consistent. The rest works itself out.
Think Outside the Box (here’s an example:)
I love watching creative parents!
A friend of mine posted this picture of her 4 young children. She is teaching them at home now because the schools are closed.
As I talked with her she told me everything she did with her children and this chalk drawing - it is a PERFECT example of how to make learning fun.
This mom taped off the heart on the driveway - but it went so much further than that and I know her children learned a lot in the process:
color recognition for the youngest children
shape recognition for the older children
word problems: For example: “If you add the pink shapes and the blue shapes how many shapes are there in all?”
patience and encouragement: waiting for your sibling to finish their part - encouraging them that they are doing a good job
You could even extend the learning the next day:
find Bible verses about love - copy simple ones in the driveway
Have the children come up with their own word problems
Write an acrostic LOVE poem
Print this picture and include it in a letter to nursing home residents or relatives
Read aloud “The Velveteen Rabbit” or “Charlotte’s Web” - both perfect for this time of year, and both sweet stories about love
Do you see how many activities can come out of one chalk heart?
Be willing to think outside of the box. Again, learning doesn’t have to happen inside the 4 walls of a classroom.
Consider Your Child’s Learning Style
Do you know your child’s learning style?
Use this downloadable checklist to determine your child’s learning style.
This is extremely helpful - and not just if you are “homeschooling” your children. It is valuable information to have because it explains so much about your child.
I also recommend two wonderful books to help you discover more about your child - these changed the way I relate to my own children:
The 8 Great Smarts: Discover and Nurture Your Child’s Intelligences
The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self Discovery
Use Games
The easiest way to make learning fun is to play games.
I first really saw the power of games when my children were little and we began exploring different math games. Then, we began to play geography games - and then the obsession began.
By simply making games a part of your family’s life children can learn so much - and have fun while doing so!
There are many resources here on the blog that can help you find games:
It’s All About Approach
Finally, if we want our children to become lifelong learners - adults who enjoy the acquisition of knowledge - we must give serious thought to the educational approach we use.
Is education something that is REQUIRED, confined to certain hours of the day, and something that normally involves cajoling, bribery, and tears?
Or, is education a lifestyle? Do we, as parents, constantly learn? Are we learning with our children?
Are we reading aloud, playing games, creating art, playing an instrument, and learning new things?
The DEFINITION of a thing matters - and I would suggest that we define learning in this way:
the acquisition of knowledge or skills through activities that engage, excite and delight a child
One last piece of advice: your child’s heart is more important than the knowledge you impart to them.
If a learning situation becomes stressful or emotional, just stop. Take a break. Send everyone to their corners and regroup for a bit.
Forget the requirements of traditional education and remember YOU are the parent. That is the most important job in the world.
