When you foster a love of learning in your children, you place them on a path of happiness and success. All children are born with a drive to learn and explore the world around them. All teachers and parents have the ability to nurture a desire for continuous learning. Here are six simple strategies.
1. Help your children become strong readers.
Children are never too young or old to enjoy a story. Begin reading to your kids when they are babies and encourage reading throughout their lives. At E3 we support this reading habit! Our students read an average of a book a week - in addition to school reading assignments. Reading and reading comprehension are skills that require practice. That practice needs to be consistent and supported.
There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world. Love of books is the best of all.
–Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis2. Share with your children how and why you are inspired.
Sometimes we think that kids will just "get it." Most often, this is not the case. Tell your kids how YOU are inspired by learning. Listen to their stories of trials and success. At E3 our students know that learning is important. Hard work pays off. Good habits reap rewards.
3. Children need to learn to make good academic choices.
By default, children need choices. When children have a choice, they feel a sense of ownership and their work reflects that. Within acceptable perimeters, we let them choose their own books, writing prompts, and learning games. E3 fosters academic maturity.
4. Show Unconditional academic support.
Even if your child chooses a weekly book that is not your favorite, as long as it is appropriate, continue to encourage your child. There are 52 weeks in a year - that provides an opportunity for 51 more books. We promise to steer kids towards good and great literature. Let them have an easier read or a "just for fun" book once in awhile.
A good novel tells us the truth about its hero; but a bad novel tells us the truth about its author.
–Gilbert K. Chesterton
5. Conversations with a purpose.
Have lots of conversations with your kids about what they are learning without turning the conversation into a test. At E3 we work on reading, writing, vocabulary, math, Spanish, spelling, test taking skills, speech, and debate - there is a lot to talk about. Let your kids teach you. Let them take you on their journey. Maybe you already know the Latin root word, the math formula, or the punctuation rule -- no matter. Rejoice in their discovery or mastery of a learning benchmark.
Have lots of conversations with your kids about what they are learning without turning the conversation into a test. At E3 we work on reading, writing, vocabulary, math, Spanish, spelling, test taking skills, speech, and debate - there is a lot to talk about. Let your kids teach you. Let them take you on their journey. Maybe you already know the Latin root word, the math formula, or the punctuation rule -- no matter. Rejoice in their discovery or mastery of a learning benchmark.
6. Provide resources for learning so that it is the norm and even "cool."
E3 is one of the best academic resources you will find. We focus on your child's academic needs and goals. Our students are proud of their hard work and enjoy congenial competition with their peers.
