When it comes to keeping your kids interested in education, it can be difficult, to say the least. There are a few different strategies to keep in mind, though. Below, you’ll discover a few different ideas that you may not have considered before along with some tips for implementing them in your household.
Reconsider Your View of “Educational”
If your little girl is engaged in imaginative play, you may think to yourself that she’s “just playing” and there’s nothing at all educational going on. However, studies suggest that imaginative play – and plenty of it – is vital for helping children develop healthy IQs. Don’t interrupt such play to have your child participate in a lesson of some sort; if he or she is engaged, he or she is learning, and that’s exactly what you want.
Read as a Family
For children of all ages, reading is the number one indicator of academic success. Kids who read frequently are better spellers, better reasoners, and better critical thinkers than their counterparts. To keep your little one engaged outside the classroom, make reading time a priority in your household. You can read aloud to small children or set aside a time for older children to read to themselves. You could even read the same book and talk about it from time to time to help enhance reading comprehension and ability, too.
Make Everyday Activities Educational
If your child tags along to the grocery store, for example, show him or her how to count out money when it’s time to check out. If your child is older, show him or her how to compare “unit prices” to get the best deal. These things not only provide some valuable lessons for their own adulthood, but it’s also showing them how mathematics will play a role in their everyday lives as adults.
Go Exploring
Taking a walk outside is not only good for your kids’ physical wellbeing, but it can also be educational. Talk about things like the current season, why the leaves change colors and fall to the ground, what makes snow, where all the animals go when it’s cold outside, and things of this nature. This is sure to fascinate your child and spark curious questions that will take the learning even further.
Educational Video Games
The younger your child, the more important it is to limit his or her screen time. However, kids have a fascination with technology, so when it’s their time to play on a tablet or smartphone, make sure they have access to educational content. There are plenty of educational games that will entertain your child while providing value. Counting games, word-finds, and even word-matching games are all excellent examples.
Keeping your child interested in learning – even outside of school hours – is not as difficult as it might seem. Kids are curious by nature, so as long as we take the time to develop and nurture that sense of curiosity, learning and education will never be viewed as a burden; instead, your kids will find it fun, exciting, and above all else, interesting.