Parenting is hard and can be daunting on many occasions. But, there are certain ways and tips that are going to help you! In this article, we are primarily going to focus on early learning in children, as well as the problems around them and how they can overcome them and adapt, with your help.
On that note, let’s get started, and unpack the most constructive ways to do so.
- Give Them The Means To Explore Their Interests
Just as adults, children tend to more easily take in information about topics that they are interested in, the only difference being that this is much more amplified when talking about kids. For instance, if your kid is interested in dinosaurs, you just can’t give them enough dinosaur shows, toys, and books, they will always ask for more. And, as the experts from Early Learning Children’s Academy suggest, a day filled with exploration and learning is a day well spent. So, giving them the means to do this not only inspires learning and exploring, but also will teach them the value of reaching a certain level of knowledge because of knowledge itself, and not because a certain goal is waiting on the other side.
2. Talk The Problems Out Early On
There are many problems that your child can and will encounter regarding learning, which will most likely cause frustration in them, hence leading to avoiding whatever has caused it. It is very important for you, when you notice this, to talk to them about it. Without anger, try to put yourself in their shoes, explain to them that the problems you encounter frustrate you as well, but explain to them why. Explain to them how do you deal with problems (of course, simplify if necessary) and try to talk to them about what do they feel and why, always being sure that you validate their emotions, no matter how small the problem is in your eyes.
3. Have Patience When They Are Struggling
We have already talked about possible problems that your kid will encounter while learning and how to tackle them, but it is also very important for you not to get frustrated since they already are frustrated as well. It will lead to overlapping and in some cases, to an argument. It’s best to be patient with your children. Even though some of their struggles sometimes may seem non-logical and irrational to you, remember always that they are very real to them.
4. Teach What You Have Been Taught
Okay, what exactly do we mean by this, you might wonder. Well, you may not be aware of this, but many of the learning problems and frustrations that you encounter now are just amplified versions of what your child is experiencing as well.
So, on that note, you surely have picked up a few coping mechanisms and techniques here and there that help you with your problems, so – try to simplify them and teach your kids how to apply them to their problems! You would, too, surely appreciate it if someone came and helped you with your current problems.
5. Teach Them How To Learn
This is very important. And we aren’t talking about teaching them to sit and grab a book, but teaching them what is the optimal way to gain knowledge while they are learning. Of course, this also means that you should help your kid first figure out what works for them. Some of us are visual learners, some auditory, some a combination of both, some learn best through experience, and so on. So, be sure to help your child by presenting them in different ways in which they can learn.
6. Instill Timeless Values
While there are many things and values that we just learn as we go, at different points of life, through trial and error, some values can be learned pretty early on, and stay with you your whole life. For instance, discipline. And no, we’re not talking about military discipline and harsh set of rules, we’re talking about learning the values of simple responsibilities that will only make their lives easier as they go. Also, very important, when it comes to learning – the value of knowledge, and the beauty of it as well. Teach them that they shouldn’t learn because society said that we have to go to school, but because there are many great secrets and interesting facts to be known about the beautiful world that we live in. Inspire them to be curious.
In the end, every child is different, and no one learns the same way nor at the same pace. But that’s the beauty of it. You are there to help your kid navigate through this world that is so unknown to them, to help them adapt and overcome, and with patience, love, understanding and talking, you will definitely be able to set them on the right path.