Nurture and Teach
The single most important thing caregivers can do for a child is provide a nurturing environment. By doing this, we influence children's brain development and their ability to learn. Introducing nurtured children to learning opportunities every day will help them become happy, well-adjusted adults. In all stages of child development, each experience builds on the one before it. The most basic foundations can serve as the basis for the comprehension of more complex ideas in future years.
Learning Begins at Birth
We are born with billions of brain cells ? in fact, all we will ever have. What is missing is a large amount of connections ? synapses ? between those brain cells. Synapses start developing based on a child's experiences. Children's brains develop faster from birth to age three than any other time; and more learning takes place during this time than any other. The more learning opportunities parents provide for their children from birth until school age, the more synapses are made. The connections will serve as a pool of knowledge for a child to access in later years.
Because children's earliest experiences affect how they will think, learn and behave, helping children learn from birth to school age is a crucial activity. Parents and other caregivers can create a strong foundation for learning by providing a nurturing and rich learning environment from the very beginning.
Children Seek Learning Experiences
Not only do children need to be physically active, it is their nature to look for opportunities to learn. They participate in learning by using their senses and asking countless questions in order to more fully understand the task at hand.
Creating a Learning Environment
Children enjoy learning when they can master an activity. Begin with a simple task and expand or complicate it after your child has enjoyed some successes.
Create a safe and secure learning environment. This will help children do their best learning rather than distract them. Key to creating this environment is treating your child with respect and caring.
Where Do Children Learn?
Children learn everywhere from school to the doctor's office to the grocery store. As do adults, children learn from interacting with others and watching their parents' behavior. Kids are highly influenced by the people in their lives, especially adults who they are close to.
Not All Children Learn in the Same Way
In the book Frame of Mind, Howard Gardner described his theory of multiple intelligences. We all have a certain way we prefer to learn. The seven multiple intelligences Gardner points to are interpersonal, intrapersonal, bodily-kinesthetic, spatial, musical, logical-mathematical and linguistic. We have the most success teaching our children when we can recognize their style of learning (as well as our style of teaching) and incorporate activities accordingly.
Playing and Learning
The main way children collect and process information is through play. Play is the repetition that reinforces old skills and encourages new ones. Because play is enjoyable, children's minds are open. Children are capable of much learning through play because they are very receptive and relaxed. Take advantage of this benefit and select activities that are fun and educational. Your children will learn, and you will both enjoy the experience.
About The Author
Shelley Ruiz is a homeschooling parent and the owner of Magic Lark Learning (www.magiclarklearning.com) which provides parents and teachers with resources for making learning fun, including a free quarterly online journal of poems and stories for kids.
bmw rental chicago Bensenville .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareBeyond cases reported to authorities, little knowledge exists on the... Read More
Looking for an unusual and memorable gift? Why not preserve... Read More
It's no surprise that the self-image and self-esteem of overweight... Read More
It has been a long day. Home from work, you... Read More
Home-schooling removes children from public school. That alone makes home-schooling... Read More
You have a chore to do around the house, and... Read More
During one "generation gap" quarrel with his parents young Michael... Read More
Using 14 "at" Flashcards To Teach Reading:This exercise helps your... Read More
What one word best sums up summer fun? Water. I... Read More
Why do some children still do best after divorce and... Read More
Traditionally, babies have been named at a christening/baptism.... Read More
1. You reheated the same cup of coffee three times... Read More
Some people can concentrate on an assignment, to the exclusion... Read More
All children will likely have many different health problems during... Read More
In stepfamilies, big holiday expectations can lead to big disappointment--and... Read More
Grandparents, what better way to stay close to your grown... Read More
All of us, including your child, entered this world equipped... Read More
As a parent, you probably know that the birthday party... Read More
As a parent is seems that the majority of your... Read More
Encouragement comes when you focus on your child's assets and... Read More
The small, lilac colored hexagonal box, with Winnie the Pooh... Read More
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Results of the Spanking Poll on Rexanne.com: Voters - 233Percentage... Read More
Corolle Paul or Emma Drink-and-Wet SET potty dollsThis is the... Read More
For troubled teens who are struggling with drug abuse, depression... Read More
Successful families don't just happen. They take time, talent and... Read More
Breese limo service at o'hare ..Are you glad for the chance to put your child... Read More
Not many things are more upsetting than discovering that your... Read More
In today's mental health system there is a pattern of... Read More
There are only two ways to get more money:1) Increase... Read More
Certainly we all want our children to excel. But it... Read More
The internet is a dangerous place for your children. Don't... Read More
Being a single mother is no easy task. I know.... Read More
Everyone needs friends, and, as parents, you and I both... Read More
Choosing a good car seat for your child's protection is... Read More
If your child has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder then at... Read More
I could nearly fund my children's future education if I... Read More
Looking for an unusual and memorable gift? Why not preserve... Read More
Dads, please let me encourage you to change some things... Read More
Researched through personal experience!Budget Your Money. Even if you are... Read More
As a parent, you can learn a lot about your... Read More
Nurture and TeachThe single most important thing caregivers can do... Read More
Corolle Paul or Emma Drink-and-Wet SET potty dollsThis is the... Read More
My son, Dakota is now 7 yrs old. He is... Read More
Parents are in a unique position to "monitor" their children's... Read More
I have three children, ages 19 and 16 (yes, the... Read More
Search for Assurance: The Power of BelongingThe job hunt is... Read More
Home-schooling removes children from public school. That alone makes home-schooling... Read More
Until the moment I became a mother, I couldn't quite... Read More
The word no is probably the most overused word in... Read More
Annie easily slipped into becoming the sole caregiver of her... Read More
Parenting |