Most good students aren't born good learners. Yes, individual personality plays a big part in a child's willingness to learn and their overall disposition when it comes to schooling and education, but most children who are good learners at some point had to become good learners. More importantly, any student, who possesses the basic aptitude and receives the right motivation, can become a good learner.
One of the biggest mistakes teachers and parents can make when it comes to developing students and children who are good learners is to limit learning to the classroom. While the classroom will likely be the primary source of instruction, intellectual, social, and academic growth should extend outside the walls of the classroom – if you want to really enhance a child's desire and ability to learn.
The following are proven tips and strategies that will
motivate your child to learn. Apply them correctly, and you'll see your child
or student discover the joy of learning.
1. Develop an atmosphere of reading
Some people would argue that reading is the key to success
in life. We would most certainly argue that at minimum reading is a key to
success in learning. Children who develop a love of reading, develop a love for
learning. Children who struggle with reading, struggle with learning.
Reading not only helps children develop a much richer
vocabulary, but it also helps their brain learn how to process concepts and formal
communication. And the skills gained from reading extend far beyond increased
performance in language art classes. Students who read well experience an
enhanced ability to learn in all subjects – including technical subjects such
as math and science.
Help your child develop reading skills and a love for
reading by filling his world with reading. Read to your child frequently. Have
your child read aloud. Create a family reading time where everyone focuses on
reading for 20 minutes a day. Through your own example of reading and by
filling your classroom and/or home with reading materials (novels, posters, newspapers,
magazines, etc.) you'll create an atmosphere of reading that will demonstrate
to your child (or students) just how important reading is.
A key to developing good readers is to make reading fun –
not frustrating. If a child decides that reading is boring or frustrating, they
won't want to read and their ability to learn will be diminished. Let children
pick their own books to read, help them read, and create activities for them
that make reading fun.
2. Put your child in the driver's seat as much as possible
When it comes to education, all some kids experience is control, control, control. When a child feels controlled, or out of control when it comes to their education, they often withdraw from learning. It's important to guide children through the learning process, but it's just as important to allow children to have control of their own learning experience. Whether at home, or in the classroom, provide children the ability to have direct input into their learning choices. A good way to do this is to provide children options. For example, when assigning a writing project, allow children to choose their topic to write about.
We also recommend allowing children to choose their own
extracurricular activities. The more control and input you're able to provide a
child, with respect to their learning environment, activities, and style, the
more engaged and motivated a child will become to learn.
3. Encourage open and sincere communication
Encourage your child or student to express his opinion about
what's going on with his education. Create an open atmosphere where he feels
comfortable expressing his likes, dislikes or concerns. When he shares his
opinion, make sure to validate his feelings – even if you disagree. When
children feel like their opinion doesn't matter, or they're stuck, they're
likely to disengage from the learning process. Good learners know their opinion
matters and feel reassured that they can be open about their educational
experience without being judged, put down, discouraged or ignored.
4. Focus on your child's interests
When learning engages children in areas and subjects of
interest, learning becomes fun and children engage in learning. If you really
want to help your child to become a good learner, encourage him to explore
topics and subjects that fascinate him. If he likes dinosaurs, help him find
engaging and interesting books and stories about dinosaurs. Then challenge him
to identify his five favorite dinosaurs and explain why he chose each one.
5. Introduce and encourage different types of learning
styles
Every child has learning preferences and styles that are best suited to their way of learning. Some children have a dominant learning style, while others prefer to learn using a mix of learning styles. There isn't necessarily one right or wrong learning style, or mix of learning styles. However, by helping your child discover his preferred learning styles, you can use techniques that will improve his rate and quality of learning.
There are seven fundamental learning styles: Visual,
Auditory, Verbal, Physical, Logical (mathematical), Social and Solitary. For
example, children who are visual learners learn best by seeing how things work.
Conversely, children who are auditory learners learn best by listening to
things being explained. For young children, it's beneficial to explore and
employ different types of learning styles.
6. Share your enthusiasm for learning
Enthusiasm rubs off, especially when it comes to learning
new things. If your child or student sees that you're sincerely enthusiastic
about learning, they're likely to become enthusiastic about learning. Whether
it's history, science, reading, writing or even math, help him see that learning
is a journey of exciting new discoveries. Take every opportunity – without
being overwhelming or overbearing – to discover new information with him. As
your child sees the joy and excitement learning brings to your life, he'll
begin to share your enthusiasm for learning new things as well.
7. Make learning fun through game-based learning
Game-based learning is not a new concept. It's been around
for a long time. Game-based learning can be very advantageous for many reasons.
Using games as an education tool not only provides opportunities for deeper
learning and development of non-cognitive skills, it helps motivate children to
want to learn. When a child is actively engaged with a game, their mind
experiences the pleasure of learning a new system. This is true regardless of
whether the game is considered "entertainment" (e.g., video game) or
"serious" (e.g., military simulator). Games that are entertaining
provide the added benefit of motivating children to want to engage in the
learning process and want to learn more.
Game-based learning is also an effective motivation for team-based learning – which can be particularly beneficial for children in a classroom setting. Students typically try harder at games than they do in courses. Games are more engaging. There is also the competitive aspect to playing games. Students are trying to compete or win, on behalf of themselves or their team. They may strive to perform at a higher level in an effort to earn more points for their team or because they want the opportunity to play.
Game-based learning is a great way for parents and teachers
to introduce new ideas, grammar, concepts, and knowledge in a way that
motivates children to learn.
8. Focus on what he's learning, not his performance
Instead of asking your child how he did on his math test as
soon as he gets home from school, have him teach you what he learned in math
today. Focus on what your child is learning, as opposed to how he is
performing. While performance is important, focusing on his learning experience
will (1) communicate to your child that actual learning is more important than
test grades, (2) results are not the most important thing, (3) you're more
concerned about him than you are about his performance and (4) by focusing on
his learning experience that day you'll provide him the opportunity to put into
his own words his lesson and solidify what he's learned.
9. Help your child stay organized
Helping your child organize his papers, books and
assignments will go a long way to helping him feel motivated to learn.
Disorganization is typical among young school-age children, but it can also
lead to a feeling of being overwhelmed. Overwhelmed children spend more time
and effort being frustrated and worried than they do learning. Be patient, but
consistent, in helping your child organize his school supplies and assignments.
This will help him feel in control, less overwhelmed, and more motivated to
learn.
10. Recognize and celebrate achievements
No matter how small they may be, it's important to recognize
and celebrate your child's achievements. This is especially important for
elementary-age school children who require constant positive reinforcement to
keep them motivated to learn and challenge themselves to do better. We're not
suggesting that you praise mediocrity, but that you offer recognition and
celebrate your child's achievements. Finishing a difficult project deserves a
special treat; doing well on a math test could call for a trip to get ice
cream. Always use positive reinforcement as your tool to motivate learning with
your child.
11. Focus on strengths
Focusing on strengths can be difficult when there is so much your child struggles academically. Notwithstanding, focusing on your child's strengths is vital to healthy emotional and academic development and progress. Focusing on your child's strengths is another form of positive reinforcement that will motivate him to keep learning. Conversely, focusing on your child's weaknesses does nothing but cause discouragement, distress, and a lack of desire to learn. Did Johnny fail his math test? Well then, in addition to getting him a little extra help with his math, make sure to congratulate him on how well he's doing in science class.
12. Make every day a learning day
Turning every day into a learning day may sound like a bit
much, but it really isn't, if you go about it the right way. Whenever possible,
encourage your child to explore the world around him, ask questions and make
connections. Help him categorize, classify and think critically of what he sees
and experiences. Turning every day into a learning day will help your child
develop the internal motivation to learn in the classroom, at home, or wherever
he may be.