A guide to improve your child’s thirst of knowledge.
Young children all start out with a thirst ti explore and learn. Your job as a parent is to keep on encouraging your child's curiosity, inquisitiveness, and passion for knowledge.
1. Set realistic goals for your child
Very few people are motivated by overwhelming pressure. If your child feels your expectations are impossible to achieve, like a certain grade or standard, then they may not even want to try at all, especially if they have failed in the past. What is important is that your child tries their hardest and puts in effort to improve their personal best.
2. Celebrate success and effort
Everyone needs to be motivated! Keep showing your child that you are proud of his or her achievements. Remember that this is not about results — the school system focuses on results, so it is important that you focus on effort.
3. Be enthusiastic and involved
Show an interest in your child’s school day. Ask questions about their classes, friends and activities. Get excited about what they are doing, share stories about your school days. If your child has a problem or concern about a teacher or subject, find out more and help them come up with solutions to show them that perseverance and support can overcome obstacles that stand in their way of enjoying school.
4. Share the benefits of education
If your child is swamped with homework, they may well wonder what on earth this is all for and how it’ll relate to real life. Keep explaining to them the benefits of a good education and discuss how it will affect their future. Ask your child what they want to be when they grow up and discuss the educational path to get there. Personally, I have been trying to explain to my 9-year-old son that the likelihood of him just focusing on soccer and still be able to afford a Ferrari when he gets his licence is microscopically small! I need to keep working on that one.
5. Help them find activities they enjoy
Sometimes, children lose enthusiasm because they haven’t yet found an area of learning they are passionate about. Look for extra- curricular activities that excite your child. Sometimes, finding that activity, be it soccer, music, chess or ballet, may be all it takes to get your child bouncing out of bed and ready for the day!
6. Extend their interests
If you know that your child has a specific area of interest, then try to find ways to expand that outside of the classroom. Museums, the theatre, air shows and many other exhibitions are all ways to help your child learn. Keep in mind that schools are only responsible for a narrow and limited number of interests as they cater for the masses. Offer them other experiences that appeal to them to enhance their interest in learning.
Article by Fiona Walker, principal director of Julia Gabriel Centre.
Photo: iStock
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