When children learn, it seems that magic occurs in their minds ... suddenly they realize something they are learning and internalize that information. Children and adolescents learn by observing, listening, exploring, experimenting, and asking questions. Be interested, motivated and engaged in learning it is important for children once they start school.
It can also help if they understand why they are learning something. As your child grows, you will enjoy taking more responsibility for learning and becoming more involved in making decisions about learning and organizing activities.
The role of parents in children's learning
Even if you think you don't know much about learning and teaching, your child continues to learn from you over the years. When your child goes to elementary school and then to high school, you can help him to have a positive attitude towards learning, just by being positive yourself. One of the best ways to support your child's learning and education is by establishing a good relationship with the school and communicating regularly with teachers.
Children go through different stages of learning
As children grow, they may go through different stages of learning, the following are worth noting:
- A baby learns about the world through the senses.
- From about two to seven years old, the child begins to develop the ability to reason and think, but is still self-centered.
- After the age of seven, a child generally becomes less self-centered and may look outside of himself. By the age of 12, most children can reason and test their ideas about the world.
This means that with younger children we need to personalize and give examples that relate to themselves, while older children need help to make sense of the world around them. This also means that children must be in the correct stage of learning. For exampleYounger children are ready to learn about numbers, colors, and shapes, but they are not ready for abstract grammar rules.
Learning in primary
Children learn in different ways
Some learn by watching, some by listening, some by reading, some by doing. And at this stage, children still learn by playing. Lots of unstructured free play helps balance formal lessons at school. It also gives children a chance to relax after class routines and rules.
Children also learn by using objects in many different ways. When your child is experimenting, exploring, and creating with a variety of materials, he is learning about problem solving in situations where there are no set or "right" answers.
Children are not born with social skills
They have to learn them, just like they have to learn to read and write. Giving your child the opportunity to play with other children is a great way to develop the skills he needs to get on with others.
Your child's community connections can also offer valuable learning experiences. For example, visiting local stores, parks, playgrounds, and libraries, or walking around the neighborhood helps your child understand how communities work.
If your family speaks a language other than their mother tongue at home, this can be a great way for your child to grow up as a bilingual learner. Learning two or more languages does not harm or slow down children's development. In fact, being a bilingual child can have many advantages, for example better reading and writing skills.
When you know how your child learns best, you can help him with all areas of learning. For example, if your child seems to learn better by seeing and doing, but needs to write a story for school, I could make a comic strip to help you organize your ideas.
Tips for learning in elementary school
Here are some practical tips to help your elementary school child learn:
- Show interest in what your child is doing and learning by talking about school.
- Play rhyming games, letter games, and shape and number games with your child, and practice taking turns in games and activities.
- Use simple language and play with words and word meanings, for example, you could clap the syllables in words or play word association games.
- Keep reading to your child even when he can read on his own.
- Let your child hear and see many new words in books, on television, or in general conversation, and talk about the meaning of the words.
- Make sure your child has time to play unstructured.
- Help your child discover what he is good at by encouraging him to try many different activities.
Learning in upper primary and secondary
Your child will become more independent as he gets older. It may seem like she wants you to have less information about her learning, but she still needs your participation and encouragement, just in different ways.
Even if your child shares less information with you, you can let him know that you are interested in what he is learning by actively listening when he wants to talk. This sends the message that their learning is important to you and that you are available to help them.
Tips for Learning in Elementary and Upper Secondary School
Here are some practical tips to help your older child learn:
- Encourage your child to try new things, make mistakes, and learn who he is through new experiences.
- Show interest in your child's activities.
- Watch the news together and talk about what is going on in the world.
- If your child has homework, encourage him to do it around the same time every day and in a particular area, away from distractions like the television or a cell phone.
- Make sure your child has time to relax and play.
- Help your child to have good sleep hygiene.
- When he's struggling in some areas, be sensitive to it and use empathy.
- Trust your child's cucuyo, accept him as he is.
- Respond to their feelings and recall your own learning experiences so you can understand your child.