Kody Hanner
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Raising Lifelong Learners: How Your Actions Shape Your Child’s Love for Learning
The old saying of practicing what you preach goes a long way to encourage lifelong learners. Kids are naturally curious, but that curiosity can fade quickly when they don’t see fueling curiosity as a positive trait. Think of all the times you have rolled your eyes about reading something or taking a Saturday class for your job. Also, think of all the times you have complained about your job in some way. This is the equivalent of your child’s education. Whether they go to public school, are homeschooled, or just have something that interests them outside of their assigned learning, if you aren’t emphasizing positive education and responsibility, they aren’t either.
Statistics of learning
How often have you felt like you were nagging your child to get them to remember something or do their homework? Well, here’s a secret: an average student may need to hear something 28 times to remember it. A neurodivergent student may need to hear something up to 200 times! As a parent, that can feel mind-numbing. However, when a child has a positive mindset about something, they are more likely to retain it (and become a lifelong learner!). This is because the way information is presented and received by a child can impact their retention both positively and negatively.
Stop lying to yourself. Your kids don't learn from your lectures. They learn from your actions. And yours scream 'bored and disengaged.
When children have opportunities to learn in tandem with you from hands-on experiences and through watching you learn, they will be able to remember so much more. They should also see you seeking to learn for yourself, being willing to master new skills, and accepting when you don’t know something. And most importantly, having a positive attitude about it.
Ways to model learning
First off, check your attitude. If you have a bad attitude, allow jokes, avoid activities that you are unfamiliar with, or complain about your own responsibilities.
Your eye-rolls and job complaints? Your kids are absorbing that. They're learning to hate learning. Is that what you want
Read Often
I know that everyone is not a reader. That’s ok; when your kids see you take the time to read, it will make a difference. There are so many styles of books out there, don’t feel like you have to sit down with an original copy of classic literature or Stephen Hawkins’s A Brief History of Time. Grab a book on business, a light devotional, or a how-to book. Anything can show the value of reading and help your children read more and become a lifelong learner.
Don’t like reading? Too bad. Pick up a book. Any book. Show your kids that learning isn’t just for school.
Learn new skills
I think Covid locks down showed that we can learn new skills as a nation. Don’t forget to feed your sourdough today!
Your comfort zone is killing their potential. Learn something new. Fail. Try again. That’s how real learning happens.
Kids will be less likely to pursue new endeavors if they don’t believe they are capable. As parents, showing that there are things you don’t know and are willing to learn, will encourage kids to do the same. This can be done in many ways. There are YouTube videos, courses, and local classes on so many things. You can do them yourself or with your kids. Either way, you are modeling learning.
Your fear of the unknown? It’s contagious. Stop projecting your limitations onto your kids.
My kids definitely roll their eyes a little as I excitedly learn new things every day. However, as they come across things that interest them, they are willing to research or try. But what I have seen as an amazing thing is that my husband, who isn’t that big of a learner, is working on an EMT course provided by his volunteer fire department. The kids are so excited every evening when he comes home from class. They even like to quiz him for tests and help with his hands-on training. This has led to conversations about things they would like to do in the future, which I think is awesome!
They’re watching. Every. Single. Move. What are you teaching them? Choose wisely.
Experience life with them
Sending your kids off to experience life by themselves or, worse, not having opportunities to experience things at all does not help them grow as a person. It is your responsibility to create an environment for your kids to level up in life and become a lifelong learner.
Sending your kids off to ‘experience life’ alone? You’re abdicating your responsibility. Level up together, or watch them fall behind.
“Your children will be happier and go on to live more fulfilled lives if that is what you are modeling.”