Be an amazing parent:

Tips on How Children Learn

 

Here are some generalized tips on how children learn:

Parents should try to motivate their children to learn, but kids acquire what they want to learn. Since children may ignore what they are forced to learn;. instead, encourage a lifetime of LOVING to learn. It is a very special ability you can pass on to your children. Here are some ideas:

• Try to teach at the child’s level and a little at a time. Sometimes, we may push for things beyond a child’s ability to learn. Divide learning into small bits and pieces. If you can incorporate it into real life, all the better. Example, there is a dog. Dog starts with the letter D. A tree is a large plant. Wood is made from trees.

• Children learn more by the actions of adults than by words. Try to model learning. Act excited about a new book your reading. Tell them about an interesting article in the newspaper. Watch a documentary with them and discuss each new part Point out learning aspects in a favorite movie. “Nimo” didn’t listen to Dad and went where he was not suppose to go. Something bad happened because “Nimo” ignored his dad’s rules.

• Children need to understand to learn. If they don’t understand, try to find a variety of ways to teach a subject. Children can learn by seeing it done; others prefer hearing it with words and finally some kids excel by doing the skill. For example understanding ..besides 1, 2, 3; you can divide up coins or blocks into the numbers or use a Chinese counter. My favorite teacher taught fractions by cutting up candy bars. Fun! I learned what half of a candy bar was very quickly.

• Be patient when teaching, it will help. Take a deep breath and calm yourself. When my children were growing up, my husband and I divided up the main subjects. I would help with English, History, or anything creative. My husband would help with Math and Science. One year, our daughter was struggling with math.  Her father would often get home late from work and have to help her at 7:30 or 8 pm. Because they both were so tired, learning and teaching was a struggle. But I would do small things like little jokes to keep the atmosphere calmer. 

• Try to use Positive verbal Guidance. Children are very concrete thinkers. They will find it more helpful if you tell them what you want instead of what you don’t want. Examples: “Please sit quietly” instead of “Don’t stand on the chair.” “Please talk to me in a normal voice” instead of “Don’t yell,” finally… “Please drink your milk” instead of “Don’t forget to finish your milk.” This is using a positive approach towards giving directions instead of focusing on the “No-No’s”.

• Point out Improvement. Accomplishment motivates learning. Praise, Praise, Praise! Use stars, hugs, rewards, compliments for their learning accomplishments. I would clap my hands, put good grades up on the fridge, hang artwork,  give $1.00 for every A on a report card. 

• A Positive and Friendly atmosphere promotes learning.  Smile, laugh, give hugs, and encourage with “Way to go”, “That was Excellent”, “You got it Right”, “High 5”, or “I am so impressed’. You get the idea.

• Children rely on their senses to learn (hearing, seeing, touching, smelling and tasting). Try to fill their lives with exploration, discovery and play to promote learning. Go for walks and point out animals, trees, or “Look…there are three flowers” ”Those flowers are tulips and 2 are the color of red and one is yellow”. “The dog’s fur is soft.” ” Here is a penny, nickel, and quarter. “. These are simple examples, but you are teaching a variety of concepts in one walk. Read books to them and make comments along the way. Ask questions after a story to see if comprehended the information. For example: after reading Goldilocks and the three bears: Ask questions.  “What color was Goldilocks hair? How many bears were there? Were the bears a family? What did they have for breakfast? What is porridge? “If they don’t know the answer, explain to them the answer and why. Example” “Have them watch learning TV shows. Ask them afterward, what they learned. Talk to them about everything around them.  It all helps.

A teacher in schools has 30 or more students in a classroom. He/She can teach the basics of each subject. But for individualized learning, your child needs you. Try your best to figure out how they learn and make learning a priority in their lives. Nurturing your child’s developing mind can be a loving and rewarding task. You will get to see firsthand the changes in your child’s abilities and watch as they do amazing tasks. Education and a love of learning is one of the best foundations you can give your children for a life of success.

Some other parenting resources would be The Power of Positive Parenting: A Wonderful way to Raise Children by Glenn Latham and Sidney W. Bijou. Positive Parenting in Action by Laura Ling and Rebecca Earnes. For more Valuable Quick Parenting Tips go to www.supportivetalk.com. You can also choose to book a conversation to discuss your parenting or child discipline woes.