Moms and dads are their kids’ first and most important role models: a child will always seek to imitate their parents. That’s a big responsibility, but one that parents can use to raise kids with a passion for learning—a crucial part of academic success.
Many people may influence your child’s development, but as their parent and main role model, you are the person with the greatest impact. Here are a few tips on helping your child develop a love of learning:
Staying up to date on what your child does at school establishes an important line of communication. Maintaining open dialogue helps encourage the discipline required for academic success. Here are some questions you can ask to encourage your child to talk about their day:
- “What book are you reading in French class?”
- “Who did you hang out with at lunchtime?”
- “Did anything funny happen at school today?”
Talk to your child about what they learn in class. You can also encourage them to dig deeper by looking up more information together. By treating learning as a collaborative exercise, you’ll show your child that it’s an active process as well as a way to communicate. Plus, if you show that you’re intellectually curious, your child will likely be as well.
Having a positive attitude will help your child stay motivated at school. Your encouragement will also benefit their self-esteem.
Being a role model for your child doesn’t mean being the perfect parent. The idea is to be aware of your actions. Take advantage of your child’s inclination to imitate you by setting the best possible example.
Play contributes to your child’s development in several ways. Encouraging your child to play will help them acquire fundamental skills for the future. Depending on the form of play, they’ll make strides in different areas:
- Sense of curiosity
- Problem solving
- Communication
- Motor skills
- Social interaction
- Teamwork
- Reasoning
- Concentration
- Self-esteem
- Learning while having fun
Playing with your child is an essential bonding activity, but don’t forget that free play is equally important for developing your child’s autonomy.
Here are three examples of games that promote an interest in learning:
- Act out a story you and your child have read together. This will improve your child’s language skills and stimulate their creativity.
- Create a treasure hunt where your child has to answer questions to advance. Make sure to encourage them and praise them when they get the right answer.
- Spark your child’s imagination by playing store, restaurant, and other make-believe games. Your child will exercise their reasoning skills as they think about their roles.
A child’s interest in learning is directly related to their self-esteem. The more they’re aware of their strengths, the more motivated they’ll be to learn and work hard at school. You can nurture your child’s self-esteem in a number of ways:
- Set reasonable, personal goals
- Avoid making comparisons with other kids
- Maintain a positive attitude
- Praise their efforts
- Give them the tools they need to succeed
- Etc.
Writing: Viviane Asselin
Scientific review: Nathalie Paquet-Bélanger, orthopédagogue
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Rewriting: The Alloprof Parents’ team