When adults want to learn something, it’s because they are interested, or have a purpose for learning it. As parents, however, we want our children to have an opportunity to learn something about everything. This can be difficult, because as humans we have natural strengths and inclinations. Our kids may not instinctually WANT to learn about everything, and may also find some topics more challenging than others. So what can parents do to help their children when they’re struggling, or just not interested?

Setting the Stage for Success

The key is to introduce and reinforce concepts by building on children‘s strengths. There are several key factors that will help your child develop the skills of a life-long learner:

1. Create Interest: In order to make the topic meaningful, make it fun, and show interest in the subject yourself. If parents are interested in a topic, and are expressing enthusiasm, kids are more likely to experience curiosity, and want to find out more. Kids love play, so find ways to introduce the topic through play, making it a fun, positive experience. Learning is an Art provides many toys and games that introduce and reinforce academic concepts through play.
2. Provide Positive Reinforcement: Once your child puts forth some effort to learn a concept, provide positive reinforcement, even if your child’s efforts aren’t perfect. Get involved with what your child is learning or struggling with, be a cheerleader, and make the point to your child that trying and learning IS succeeding. Perfection is not the only goal. Getting there provides lessons and learning too. And practice helps kids get better, so find fun ways to practice, through play. Learning is an Art toys and games provide fun ways to practice academics together as a family, while providing the positive reinforcement your child needs to succeed.
3. Show Your Child You’re Interested Too: The third factor in helping your child become a successful learner is to show interest in your child’s efforts to learn. Ask your child what he/she has learned, and how he/she learned it. Look at what your child brings home for homework, and tell your child about how you learned the subject. Show genuine interest in what your child is discovering. Discuss how the topics your child is learning relate to everyday living, and/or possible careers. Let your child see that you value the effort they are putting into learning, and make sure they understand the relevance of a topic to everyday experiences.
4. Celebrate Success: When your child successfully learns about something new, help him/her experience a sense of accomplishment. Discuss with your child how he/she reached his/her goal or proficiency. Review the steps that brought your child success. Talk about how your child can build on what he/she has achieved.

Hands-On Learning

Learning is an Art (LiA) helps children learn academics through hands-on experiences in a family-centered environment. Both play and family involvement are critical to learning. We focus on providing families with products that promote creativity and kinesthetic (whole body) experiences to reinforce subject matter. The result is an increased enjoyment of learning, strengthened family bonds, and more academic achievement.

You can help your child love learning, and enjoy the experience of discovery, by providing a variety of learning experiences that your child can participate in on many levels. Many people (kids AND adults) learn best by doing things with their whole bodies, so active play is a great way to help your kids. Also make time to talk to your kids about what they are doing in school, help your kids with homework (which is also a great way to be sure that they’re doing their homework!), and create an environment in your home that celebrates learning.

Your child can succeed at learning, and learn to love it. Get involved, work together, and have fun. Learning doesn’t have to be a chore. Instead, it can be a family-building experience that brings out the best in your child.