From their early childhood days, children are exposed to a multitude of learning environments, be it home, playground or classroom setup. These learning environments together shape children into a well-rounded individual and enable them to cope up with the real-world problems and scenarios. As a parent or a caregiver of a child, we understand how important education is for the growth and development of a child, enabling them to eventually become wiser independent adults.
Other than making education available to them, another thing that we need to do is to help our children love learning. This can only happen when the child understands the importance of education and appreciates it. Subsequently, he/she would be able to dedicate maximum interest and efforts in raising their learning curve. This blog will help you know the 5 steps to teach children the importance of education.
Be their role model
As a natural instinct, children are inquisitive and absorb everything that goes around them. They keenly observe your verbal cues, body language, attitude, behaviour, activities and mood-shifts. Later they try to mimic those behavioral patterns that you exhibit the most number of times. This is generally shown by them while they start doing homework, daily chores or any school activity. To be a good role model, set the right tone in their early childhood days. Introduce a bunch of healthy reading and learning habits in a light environment.
If you tell your child to not watch television for longer durations, while on the other you binge watch episodes, chances are that your child will never be able to understand why they shouldn’t do it. On the other hand, if you read a book in your free time, your child will better relate and learn from you. Being a child diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder or with any other special needs, it may be challenging for your child to interpret your activities and behaviours and communicate his/her understanding. To build better communication with your child, you can use label or picture cards with your child.
Introduce them to different learning opportunities
Children thrive when they are given a task that involves fun and excitement. Simple learning methodologies, when performed repeatedly may feel boring or monotonous to them. As a parent or a caregiver of a child, it is your responsibility to make their learning opportunity, fun and memorable experience.
For instance, if you want to teach them about different colours, you can introduce a tub of colored clay to them. Once you have helped them learn the colour names, let them play with the clay. Such things are a part of the resources of child psychologists to work with special needs children. You can also coordinate with an Autism treatment centre to know about a couple of ways to diversify your child’s learning opportunities.
Recognize and acknowledge obstacles
Sometimes as parents, it gets difficult to accept that your little one finds it hard to manage school tasks and homework. But unless you don’t acknowledge the obstacles that fall on their path, finding a way to overcome them is not possible. If the problem is ignored and your child continues to face that obstacle he/she might even develop a strong aversion to that particular subject or concept.
To help them out, you can sit with them and help them understand the subject. For a child with special needs, you can also opt for a shadow teacher who constantly supports and backs up your child each time he needs help at school.
Primary focus should be learning and not studying
A lot of children have a habit of finishing up their homework just for the sake of doing it or for pleasing their teachers and parents. However, unless they don’t actually understand the subject matter, finishing it up doesn’t serve the purpose. To help them not develop this habit, make them understand how education can help them succeed, progress, gain independence. This realization will enable them to embrace the process of education as a vital one.
To open up your child’s mind to a handful of new interests, you can try taking them to a museum, historic monument, play workshops, where they can gain information while having fun.
Put things into perspective
Explain to your child that learning is not constricted within the walls of a school building or their study room at home. Teach them to pick information and learn while they are commuting to school, going on a family vacation or watching Animal Planet on television. Try out physical activities with them like, making a treehouse, bird watching, going for short treks, rather than investing their time in front of the screen. The more they’ll learn new things, the more they’ll realize the value education brings to their life.
Trying out these steps to teach your child the importance of education will help them in the long run. Once they realize its importance, they’ll be more inclined towards learning the maximum, in terms of quality and quantity. While with a special needs child, who may have low cognitive ability and finds it difficult to communicate them clearing, teaching the importance of education may become challenging.
Stay patient and look for ways to convey these steps in a way that he/she best comprehends. For further guidance and assistance, you can look for a child psychologist. There exists best Autism school in Delhi that can help your child gain education and grow.