For parents and guardians

How to Make Learning a Lifelong Quest

You try to provide your children with all the things they’ll need for future success. There’s so much to share, and somehow your work seems never done. 

One useful strategy is to help your children develop their own love of learning.  Here are some easy ways to incorporate that strategy into your everyday life.

Talk with your children about the things you read and hear. Make sure your children know that you enjoy their company and conversation.  When talking about something you and your children find interesting – the latest movie they saw, a news story you heard on the radio or an article you read in the doctor’s office – you may find that natural conversation comes more easily. If you don’t already, ask your children how they feel about current issues. Encourage them to have their own opinions and listen as they explain their views.

Nurture healthy bodies.  Studies show that kids who eat healthy foods and get enough sleep learn better. Keeping healthy snacks in the cupboard or a bowl of fruit on the kitchen counter encourages good choices.

Expand their minds.  Continue to expose your children to new experiences, such as music, sports, museums, travel, reading, games, foods, puzzles, etc.  A visit to the museum or a meal at your local ethnic restaurant may influence your child to become a scientist or a top chef.  The local library is a great resource for books or films that can expand your child’s horizon, if you are unable to travel or have a limited budget.

Fill your home with words.  Novels, newspapers, magazines and even posters can inspire curiosity and learning.  Have you tried asking your librarian for outdated posters?  Try hanging a map of the world on the wall so kids can see where current events are taking place. Point out the places your relatives have traveled to or where your family is originally from. Have you given your child ‘homework?’  Encourage your children to research a favorite topic online or at the library.  You could even suggest they make a poster about something that intrigues them.

Support your children’s school. Have a good relationship with the teachers and staff.  When possible, attend school functions and volunteer in the classroom. Ask the teacher how you can help. They’ll most likely really appreciate your offer since virtually all schools are working with very restricted budgets.  And remember, you are your children’s best teacher.  Even the smallest lessons make a big impact on your child’s future.

Encourage your children to try, and then try again.  Teach your children that making mistakes and even failing are normal steps on the road to knowledge.  Maybe you could share stories about mistakes you have made.  Explain how you fixed the error and what you learned from it.  Your child’s ability to learn is bolstered when they try new things and take risks.

Keep them interested.  Does your child have an interesting hobby of their own?  If not, why not try one?  If they are curious about a hobby, a certain subject in school (language, social studies), or a musical instrument, support them in any way your finances allow.  Your encouragement could open up a new world for them.

Build confidence, independence, and self-esteem.  Keep treating your children like smart kids, and they’ll be smart kids!  Ask for their opinions and encourage them to answer questions, find solutions, and make some decisions on their own.  Their ideas may surprise you and further encourage exploration and conversation. 

Teaching them how to do things like ordering their own food at a restaurant, buying stamps at the post office,  introducing themselves and shaking hands with guests, will help them learn to grow AND will show them that you support them in the process.

Portions of this article taken from the Spring 2009 publication of Group Health’s nwhealth.