How do I make learning fun for a 7 year old who finds sitting with his books a waste of time?
It’s a struggle believe me.
The biggest problem any teacher faces is trying to retain the attention of the students.
There are good days and bad.
On a good day, the children understand it well, complete their work and are asking for more things to do.
On bad days, no matter how many times I explain, it just doesn’t matter. Their blank stares chars my confidence.
What am I missing?
I had to review my classes to find out the ‘it’ factor. And when I did, the truth hit me like a ton of bricks.
It was not the topic which was boring, nor was there anything wrong with my teaching method.
The problem was I was not making the class interesting!
I was so focused on them understanding the concept that I forgot to make it engaging or relatable.
The most important part of teaching young children is connecting with them. Doesn’t matter what you want to explain or teach, if you can make it something they can relate with, it’s smooth sailing thereon.
Ever since I learned this lesson, I’ve changed the way I teach. I included more games, tried to make it more visual and hands-on if possible, made the classes interactive, introduced various activities and worksheets.
And the results were both surprising and encouraging.
The children were more than eager to learn. They would keep me on my toes with their enthusiasm and energy.
My resources treasure chest was stocked up with fresh ideas, games, activities and videos. Be it grammar or maths or anything else, I always had something interesting to do.
The way we approach education, or schooling, needs a serious looking into. The objective is for the kids to learn, not become a Polly parrot. If their foundation in the primary years are made strong, you’ll have nothing to worry about as they grow.
And since the schools are set in their ways with very little creativity or flexibility, a little bit of support at home from the parents can go a long way.
5 things parents can do to make learning fun –
- Build a reading habit. Read them every night at bedtime. Once they learn to read by themselves, encourage them to read as much as possible.
- Play board games. It’s fun, engaging, entertaining and its a great way to spend time together.
- Get them to practice writing. Gradually build their motor skills with fun worksheets. Then start with the few lines to build their interest and vocabulary.
- Explore cultures, countries, histories, and anything else that interests them. It broadens their mind and improves their knowledge.
- Work on their counting skills. Play number games, solve puzzles (sudoku or kakuro), or do number based activities.
- Give them a free rein to express their creativity. Drawing, colouring, clay modelling, cooking, sewing, etc.
Each of these activities works to shape their personality. It will challenge them. The new knowledge will ignite the fire for learning. Once they get used to learning, enjoying themselves in the process, then you’ve set them on the right path. Now sit back and watch them grow into well-read and confident young minds.
