Quench the thirst for knowledge
Education according to the gurus, prepares a child to live in society and the world, as we know it today. It inculcates values and introduces skills the child can hone as he or she grows up to earn a living. While education is a system, learning is a thirst quencher – it satisfies a curiosity and gives wing to imagination. As a parent or caregiver , you need to encourage this thirst for knowledge and nurture the imagination.
Education does not begin or end with school and university. One can be educated constantly every moment of life. And, as you know experiences are life’s greatest teachers.
As you know, L learning has many aspects. The basic aspect is to provide a vitally conducive environment and the appropriate tools to learn. Another is that you as a parent must be prepared to listen and to answer to the best of your ability even awkward questions like “where do babies come from,” or “the meaning of sexy.” A child who is healthy, happy, physically active, and loved learns easily and adjusts to any situation.
Every parent wants his or her child to excel and be successful. And, to achieve this you must implement—quick thinking, a sharp brain, a balanced lifestyle, and keep abreast with innovations and advancements in education and educational tools.
Tips on How to Stimulate the Brain
As you know, it is the brain that helps us think, learn, and retain memories. The cells in the brain are what control most of our sensory functions and an infant’s brain has over 100 billion nerve cells that grow and can be stimulated to function optimally.
Imagine, Imagine recent brain research shows that what parents have been doing for ages –singing, playing, reading, and interacting with their babies and children – is what helps the brain to develop well and healthily.
So, when you cuddle your child and sing to it you are in fact, stimulating brain cells. To optimize intelligence, experts recommend that you spend time with your child and be warm and responsive. Did you know children who receive warmth and are touched, rocked, and talked too are more comfortable with other children and perform better in school than insecure children?
Reading stories, relating daily events, and patiently answering umpteen questions will encourage your little darling to participate, repeat what they hear, and oil the wheels in their brain into thinking what comes next.
Encourage curiosity and independence. Allow the child to explore his environment and touch and feel objects. Playing with blocks, toys, puzzles, and paints allows the child to express himself and also gives a sense of freedom and independence. Many toys are designed such that it needs the child to think what comes next and also develops skills like co-ordination.
Use positiv e reinforcement and a firm set of rules to teach the child what is right and what is wrong. Befriend the child and never hit or punish a child. Just as a schedule helps you in your work, schedules work wonders for children as well. Draw up a daily plan for play, rest, learning, feeding times, and bedtime. Ensure that the child eats a balanced meal, gets exercise, and plenty of rest.
A child that is secure and happy learns easily.
Take One Step at a Time
When you let a baby curl its fingers round your finger it symbolizes togetherness for eternity. And, you as a parent will play more roles that any playwright can even envisage. That of provider, friend , Hitler, confidant, enemy , misunderstood adult, and more.
As a modern day parent, you need to gauge the situation and take steps accordingly. Education is important but does it fulfill its function - , this is an important question too. The world’s boundaries are in constant motion and work situations, skills, educational curriculum, and educational goals are constantly changing. The needs are greater and career development has become a lifelong process for children as well as adults.
You can stay one-step ahead by comprehending what your role is, for each stage in growth, development traits, career needs. For instance, children who are at pre-kindergarten to the third grade level constantly seek attention and praise. They are known to have boundless energy and tend to consider fantasy as real. At this stage it is important to create a distinction between work and play.
You must work hard towards explaining things and help the child distinguish between things, come to terms with emotions, and develop a positive attitude. So, it is a must for you to participate in all activities and encourage participation. Introduce sports and hobbies, praise and treat the child for even the smallest of achievements, and involve yourself as much as possible in school activities. Be a volunteer parent if you can make the time.
At this stage toys and learning material such as those marketed by Smart Neurons will prove beneficial and improve role-playing. Most important never make decisions for your child—make decisions with your child.
You, the parent is are the one who is closest to the child and knows his every mood as well as his likes and dislikes. So, more than any other person you are the one who should help your child set reasonable goals, tread the right path, be socially responsible, and lead a rounded life.
Prepare for the 21st century
It is advancements in technology that is taking learning forward by leaps and bounds. Computers, CDs, DVDs, and audio-visual aids enhance learning, create a curiosity, give flight to creativity, and increase communications ten-fold. Innovative learning tools designed by firms like Smart Neurons expose the minds of children to a great variety of situations and use role playing and other developmental tools to develop informal reasoning in children and help children use their intelligence to arrive at logical and practical conclusions. Learning through technology can help s children develop eye-hand coordination , and great strategy skills . , It also improve s s thinking ability, encourages children to seek and find answers or solutions to problems and , help s enhance people skills , and brings children closer to parents who play or work on the toll with them. Parents can take the initiat ive e to integrate technology in learning and discover along with their children the “magical” world of computers and interactive learning systems.
Help your Child Succeed in School
Where a child’s education is concerned every parent wants the best for their child. So, it is imperative for you to research and explore all options and avenues before planning or making any decision regarding your child’s future. Although a school does play some role in shaping a child , the most vital role in the development of personality as well as intellect is fulfilled by family in general and parents in particular. A choice made carefully will be one made well.
You may feel like a juggler with so many decisions to make. And deep within is the fear “Am I doing the right thing?” Set aside fears there is no such thing as a perfect parent or school.
Did you know that simple tasks like making cookies or sorting socks with you teach a child the basics of math and good health? Counting sweets or marbles, playing hopscotch, or playing memory games with playing cards will teach a child not just to count but to retain facts and positions in their memory.
Communicate with the children. Ask questions and listen to their answers. Converse with them while doing the dishes or driving to the mall or grocery store. Slowly inculcate and encourage their the ir habit of talking to you –first they may share daily experiences but as they grow up if your bonds are strong and lines of communication are open they will turn to you in times of need.
Be patient with children and teach them to think for themselves, to be responsible, not to shirk their duties, and to be honest. Never spoil a child if you want him or her to grow up into an adult who is respected and admired. Every child needs consistency and rules along with love and tenderness.
Spend time with the kids, be their teacher, watch TV with them, take them to the library, play with them. Many parents use the computer and other interactive toys to teach their children the “fun way” – children look forward to meeting Kermit the frog who teaches math, or a turtle who tells stories of the forest and all its residents, or a historical episode where an animated Columbus sets sail and discovers America.
Learning comes from tomes and from everyday life.
Author Information:
Article was contributed by Smart Neurons www.smartneurons.com . Smart Neurons offers kids’ educational software, video and other educational aids. Our products encourage critical thinking, imagination and leadership skills and are targeted to enhance a child’s educational experience. Children are encouraged to explore the world around them through fun and engaging activities. Through our products and software, Preschool children use their observations to expand their understanding of the world and develop their ability to express themselves.
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