A common concern all parents share is wanting their children to succeed at school. But far more important than the learning children do behind a school desk is what parents teach them about learning before they even reach school.
A common concern all parents share is wanting their children to succeed at school. But far more important than the learning children do behind a school desk is what parents teach them about learning before they even reach school.
The graph below illustrates just how young children’s brains grow during their first year of life. In fact, brain growth and development start even before babies are born.
The graph shows that by the time they are six, brain development is already starting to slow down. This opens up all sorts of incredibly exciting opportunities for caring parents and teachers of young children.
Not only do young children’s brains grow faster than they ever will for the rest of their lives, but it’s argued that young children are more efficient at learning than older children and adults.
Young children up to the age of six are 'born to learn’.
They can’t be stopped from learning, and therefore should be offered spaces where they can enact this impulse. You must’ve noticed that young children are intensely curious.
Always looking, investigating, experimenting, trying new things, fitting objects together, taking them apart and asking questions.
These are all actions which help them to learn in the best possible way.
But adults unfortunately often feel that they need to control the child’s learning – they hover and often interfere while a child is busy learning – making suggestions and "helping".
As well meaning as adults may be, this sometimes takes the joy of learning from the child. One of the best gifts parents can give their child is encouragement and affirmation that brings about an excitement about learning. Parents need to recognise that children learn autonomously.
Parents need to create an environment where the child can grow his/her confidence to go about learning in their own way. This is often called a positive learning disposition.
Children need to develop their own mastery of learning, and with this comes self-confidence and self-determination. Invariably a child will not tackle a problem in the same way their parent would – celebrate this and encourage your child to solve problems on their own.
Don’t stifle them by imposing your own prejudices.
The child is the one who is learning and developing through the experience – not you! Young children are extremely capable of learning.
The best teacher and parent is one who trusts a child to rise to challenges, solve problems and develop a sense of self-mastery.
All the while providing a supportive, loving space.
So if you want to help your child succeed, let them achieve success in their own way, and make them proud of their mastery!
