How to raise a self-learner kid?
This question should be the center of the educational process. A self-learning child is a bundle of curiosity. And his curiosity can be dealt with by providing lots of opportunities for self-learning. In this article, we will discuss how to raise a self-learner kid.Why raising a self-learner kid important?
It is a well-established fact that a kid who learns on her own retains the learning. If a child is pushed against his or her will to learn facts and figures, he will be reluctantly learning. This impacts his memory to retain what he has learned. Rot memorization is a further bad thing that demotivates the child to learn.When a child is in a self-learning mode, he learns out of curiosity - curiosity to know different things, curiosity to know how things work, curiosity to understand the world we live in. When he learns various things while thinking through various aspects he retains the knowledge which he has gathered.
Ways to Raise a Self-learner
There are no definite do's and don'ts to raise a self-learner. One way which works for a child may not work for another. It is a continuously evolving process. Guidelines are there and we need to come up with our own guidelines as well. If you find out other ways, do mention them in the comment section below.
a) Discuss various subjects
You may raise the curiosity level of a kid by discussing various subjects. For example, if you want to make a child interested in Mathematics, you can talk about Mathematics from day to day life. If you want her to learn Botany, you may talk about plants around you. You may also talk about everyday science with her. Encouraging her to ask lots of questions also helps.
b) Availability of Books
The availability of different kinds of books also helps. If discussion happens on Space and Stars, then encouraging the child to learn more by reading books on subject pacifies curiosity of the child. Textbooks are just supplementary. Research suggests that reading the same topic from different books helps in clarifying the topic and subject matter gets retained in the memory for a long time. Also encourage him to read more. Here is a guide to motivate a child to read.
c) Learning by Doing
A child should be encouraged to carry out different experiments that lead to a path of self-discovery. A subject like History could be taught by visiting places of historical importance, museums, etc. Small projects could be assigned to the kid where he can apply his mind.
d) Restrain from doing homework for the child
From early on make your child independent to do his homework. It is certainly not your task to do his homework. If he has difficulty in grasping a certain concept, help him with that by providing lots of examples. But homework he must do on his own. If he has conceptual clarity, he will quickly finish off his homework. You may coax him by telling him he gets to play for a longer amount of time if he finishes his homework fast.
e) Discuss the syllabus verbally
As much as possible, discuss various concepts in the syllabus verbally. More he talks on the concepts, more will be his conceptual clarity. You may encourage to do mathematical problems verbally. This develops Mathematical abilities by applying the mind to solve a problem. Other subjects in the syllabus could also be discussed orally. This helps in developing problem-solving, communication and reasoning skills.
I hope this small guide on how to raise a self-learner kid will help you to develop the personality of your kid.
At last, don't burden the child to learn anything against his wish. Create an atmosphere for learning where he blooms on his own.
Self Learning is a process that helps one to learn lifelong and lead a mentally active life.
