Eager Learners

The way learning is approached at home (or not) will carry forward with kids into the classroom. Regardless of whether your child is in elementary school or high school, there are things you can do at home to foster eagerness in your learner.

Reading at home is an important part of creating eager learners.

“Not only should you read to them, but you should read yourself. They will do what you do. If they see you modeling this practice, they will want to do it, too. If you can’t get them away from the TV, have them read the books that go with the TV shows,” Ronna Sparks-Woodward, teacher and Kansas City mother of two,

says.

A local elementary guidance counselor agrees that reading is central to building creative learners.

“Read.  Read to your kids.  Read with your kids.  Listen to your kids read.  Talk about what you're reading.  Ask about their books,” Beth Dusin, guidance counselor and Liberty mother of two, says.

Not just reading, but making an effort to be involved in your child’s life is a key element, as well. Your children’s feeling like you care about them and their school can translate to their feeling more involved in school.

“Prioritize school,” Dusin says. “Make time to attend school events.  Volunteer in the classroom or complete volunteer jobs at home.”

Parent involvement goes beyond just going to school events and volunteering, though.

“Parents need to communicate with their kids. So many parents don’t know what their kids are doing, who their friends are. Or they are so concerned with their own lives that they don’t want to be involved with their kids,” Ann Bertoldie, teacher and Liberty mother of two, says.

Dusin also says that trying new things is another way to build curious learners.

“Encourage effort.  Research shows that grit—passion plus persistence over time—is key to success,” Dusin says. “Emphasize hard work and effort.  Encourage your kids to try new things, even things that aren't easy for them to do.”

Working on skills at home that are taught at school can help, as well.

“Check with the teacher to see what you can do at home to support the classroom experience, or pay attention to the daily note of what they did that day,” Sparks-Woodward says. “Maybe a small thing at dinnertime will enhance the learning at school. Something simple like watching leaves might enhance the lesson the teacher taught that day.”

Above all, the best thing you can do is just encourage learning.

“Value learning. Talk about learning as a process.  Pay more attention to what they learn than their grades,” Dusin says. “Talk about what you are learning.  Emphasize life-long learning.”

Jennifer Higgins is a teacher, mother and freelance writer from Kearney.