Getting Your Kids Interested In Learning
For any parent, nothing is more exciting than seeing a child
with a keen interest in learning more about the world. Most small children go
through a period of curiosity and questioning, and you need to show your child
that this is a very healthy way to live. When your child questions everything
and takes nothing for face value, he or she will grow up to be a very brilliant
individual. There are many ways that you can foster this kind of attitude in a
child, and you should do your best to encourage it in all of your children, if
possible. Read on to find out some tips as to how you can do this.
First, you need to start incorporating books into the lives
of your children from a very young age. Even before your child can understand
what you’re saying, you should read picture books and describe what is going
on. This may seem pointless, but studies have shown that it will lead to a more
eloquent and verbose child. As the child gets older, start reading more complex
books. Don’t worry about getting out of his or her reading level. When I was 7,
my mother read me the entire Lord of the Rings series aloud over the course of
several months. I could never thank her enough for doing so. Although it didn’t
improve my reading skills, it helped develop my level of understanding.
Make the library into a fun outing for you and your kids. Go
once or twice a week to get new books, and encourage your kids to finish the
books before the next outing so that they can exchange the books for other
ones. Most libraries offer some summer programs where the kids log their books
and receive rewards. If you feel your kids have a real passion for reading then
this is a great way to get free ice cream every once in a while. Otherwise you
should skip these programs, since they have the potential to make reading into
something that is done simply for the prize at the end.
As your kids become more proficient readers, you need to
push them to higher content levels. It doesn’t matter if your kindergartener is
reading at a 10th grade level as long as he or she understands the
book and isn’t exposed to anything that you wouldn’t want him or her to read.
As long as you keep upping the ante and complexity of the books that your child
reads, you will see growth in leaps and bounds. You should be wary of something
that is frequently a result of advanced children, and that is a lack of
interest in school. If your child is reading adult-level fiction and
non-fiction books, it isn’t likely that public school will offer enough of a
challenge. Many advanced children do better in homeschooling or private school,
or even simply pursuing their own passions.
The journey through parenthood is different for everyone,
and reading is just one aspect that you have to pay attention to. Keep a
healthy relationship with your kids always, and they will grow up to be healthy
individuals. This is rewarding enough in itself, and should inspire you to try
your best as a parent.
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