Learning Should Be FUN
Posted on Thu, Oct 13, 2011
Over the summer, I involve my kids in summer reading and summer workbooks. Their reactions to these tasks always give me a good indication of what their school year was like (not that I don't already know this, but it just becomes so obvious now). If they've had a good year and enojoyed their classes, they approach the workbook activities with zeal. And the number one factor for them in whether or not they had a good year is simple: it's the relationship they had with their teacher.
Good teachers make a connection with their students that can't be quantified. They make their students WANT to learn, and want to come to school. They keep the learning process fun. After all, don't we want our kids to want to learn? I can't stress this enough. If children feel like they're doing something "just because" or as "busy work," they sense that and will rebel in some way (sometimes in subtle ways that you may not even recognize at first--like not wanting to write or not wanting to color).
At the youngest ages, we are privileged to be able to choose our children's teachers ourselves. I always looked for someone that saw the good in my child, someone that found his/her spark and acknowledged it to my child. What are some of the things you look for in a teacher?
“If an activity is not fun for the child, don’t do it. When we say fun that means that the child’s mind is engaged, that the child feels capable and powerful. Delight is a key ingredient in all learning. If the child is frustrated, stop the activity and offer it at a later date.” from Simple Steps, by Karen Miller, pg. 11.