How can parents encourage their children for learning new things?

 Growth is the way of life, and without self-growth, navigating the deep waters of life can be an extremely confusing and discouraging journey to walk on, if not one that fails even before beginning. All children require competent guidance and encouragement from their parents in order to not only learn new things but also recognise their own potential and talents. The guidance and encouragement begin at an early age, especially when you are preparing your little one for nursery admission in Ahmedabad.

Simple ways to encourage your child to learn new things

1.     Believe in your child: Children take their cues from their parents and immediate environment when it comes to developing a self-image. It is therefore critical for parents to not only believe in their children but also to communicate this belief to them. Tell them that you believe in their talents and ability to do well academically and in whatever activity they choose to pursue. Doubt or uncertainty about your child’s abilities and potential will break down their spirit and will to strive to discover and reach their potential.

2.     Joint activities: Take time from your busy schedule to spend quality time with your child where you do activities together like reading, singing, dancing, or playing fun educational games. Having fun together builds a stronger bond and trust, which helps strengthen their self-confidence. The strong bond will work as an impetus for them to explore their talents and abilities.

3.     Structure: Aside from teaching your child the importance of discipline, structure and some amount of discipline are important for creating a secure environment for the child. Fix their limited time for watching television, playing video games, or spending time with their mobile phones. Make sure they spend adequate time outdoors in fresh air, indulging in physical activities. Accompany them to the park, on a walk, or simply play catch in the yard once their school work is complete.

4.     Conversations: Have conversations with your child from a very young age. Listening to words and language helps establish their familiarity and comfort with the language, which helps them learn faster. Conversations also help in establishing a communication channel between you and your child, thereby building a relationship your child can bank on and reach out to in times of confusion, doubt, and stress. A healthy communication channel creates a safe place for your child, which adds to the child’s self-esteem and inner sense of security.

5.     Positive attitude: Children develop their life view by mimicking their parents and the environment they grow up in, which creates their attitude towards themselves and life. Have a positive and open-minded attitude towards life, school, education, and learning. Take an active interest in their studies, activities in school, and the relationships they form outside the home. This will make them believe that education and learning are important for creating a meaningful life. A positive attitude and regular conversations about life, studies, etc. will also prepare them to handle failure better and strive harder to achieve their goals.

6.     Know your child: Every child is different and unique in their own way, and one size does not necessarily fit all. Know your child’s learning style and levels of understanding and guide them accordingly. A visual learner will learn faster and with more ease with the help of pictures and videos; some children study better with music playing in the background, while others understand and memorise faster by writing down what they are learning, and so on. The best way to know their style is by asking them or introducing them to multiple options and letting them find out their style themselves. Self-discovery is very empowering and will do wonders for their curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. Once you know your child’s nature and learning style, design their lessons accordingly.

7.     Your child is an individual. Parents often wrongly assume that making comparisons and citing examples of other children will make their child work harder or learn better. Well, this tactic does not work with most children and, in fact, carries the risk of having the opposite effect, especially with the children of the 21^st century. Never make the mistake of drawing comparisons or pitting one child against a classmate, friend, or relative’s child. As Albert Einstein’s famous quote says, "Every child is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid."

In conclusion, believing in your child, supporting them, and standing by them are the best ways to encourage them to have an open-minded approach towards learning and trying out new activities as soon as they take nursery admission in Ahmedabad.