CultusOne of the biggest issues when raising children is their education. Many children have learning disabilities, are distracted by things outside of school, or just don’t seem to be interested in the current curriculum. As a parent, it falls on you to encourage the love of learning in your kids. One of the best ways to do this is to present supplemental and alternative educational opportunities to your children. Weeknights and weekends can be spent taking in new information too, if you know how to package it right. By taking your kids outside, incorporating technology, and making reading fun – you can foster a love of learning from a young age.
Go outside!
One of the best ways to inspire your children to learn is by taking them out of their usual element. By removing them from the classroom, or their desk at home, you are allowing them to view things differently. First hand interaction with nature is a great way to learn about science. Reading about certain subjects is good and well, but allowing a child to view it on their own allows them to engage in sensory perception in a way that a standard education typically does not.
Field trips are another way to engage your children in a productive activity that they will enjoy and also learn from. While many schools are cutting back on field trips due to lack of funding, with a bit of preparation online, you can take your kids to plenty of educational sites without breaking the bank. Field trips provide an opportunity to travel to historical sites, experience a different environment than their own, or view exhibits in a museum that encapsulate historical and scientific lessons in engaging displays.
Incorporate technology
Kids today are inundated with technology. Smartphones, computers, and televisions are providing stimuli for them 24/7. While many normal activities offered through these offer little to no intellectual stimulation, they can be a tool to aid in your child’s educational development.
By providing your child with different options of what is available online and on TV, you can help steer them toward beneficial programs and websites. Educational software for kids is a wonderful way to keep education accessible and enjoyable when you install it on your child’s tablet or computer. Encourage them to spend time on the weekends using the software. Similarly, with television, check your listings for programs on PBS, the discovery channel, or the history channel that might spark interest in your children.
Encourage reading
The pitfall that many children fall into at a young age is that they make the decision that reading isn’t enjoyable, and carry this notion with them for years to come. If they are only exposed to books that they don’t like, who could blame them for feeling this way? There are books for students K-12 covering all sorts of subjects. Talk to your child about what interests them, and buy some books that will keep them turning pages. Once you’ve proven to them that reading can be fun, you just need to balance out their reading list. Mix enjoyable fiction, educational non-fiction, and literary classics.
Don’t let your child fall behind in school because they find education to be boring. Seek out alternatives and supplements to their education to help them to excel.
About the Author:
Ashely thinks education is very important and likes to share learning tips and ideas. To see more, check out her Twitter @ashelymarie1985.
