Raising Children with a Positive Mindset Towards School and Learning

By Guest Author, Claire Hastings

It’s every parent’s priority to ensure their children grow in a safe and healthy environment and receive the best education possible so they could develop into successful and accomplished adults. No parent wants their child to struggle throughout life but with all these goals, it can be easy to overdo this and put too much pressure on children to succeed. This only results in resistance on their part which makes the entire learning process devoid of any fun or pleasure.

It’s clear that as parents, we must not forget that our children’s health and happiness still comes first and to enable them to thrive, develop and reach their full potential, we need to find ways to help them without putting additional stress. With the proper mindset and the following methods, that is certainly possible.

Conversation Is Important

All children are inquisitive and curious by nature so as soon as they learn how to talk, they start asking questions about the world around them. It’s very important to pay attention to them in such moments and answer as many questions as you can. If you can’t, admit it openly and try to find the answer together.

This and any other type of communication you have with your children can help them be better listeners and have higher academic achievements. These moments show them that what they ask and say matters so they won’t shy away from asking questions in class or sharing their ideas and opinions. Moreover, when children know their parents are willing to listen to them, they’re more likely to trust them and turn to them when the problems get more serious as they get older.

Asking for Help is OK

When children get acknowledgment and validation at home from their parents, it also builds up their self-confidence so they aren’t afraid to ask for help when they need it. In this way, they learn that failure is not a sign to give up but rather push forward until they find the solution. Rising after each failure is probably one of the best lessons they can learn in life. 

As your children grow, the problems they encounter get more complex and there will probably be a time when your expertise and knowledge won’t suffice. That’s the time to turn to professionals for help. For instance, if your child understands English grammar and has a solid vocabulary but still struggles in reading or speaking fluently, enrolling them in a practical course of phonics for kids can help them improve their decoding and skills of listening and speaking so they can continue making progress. 

By enabling your kids to work closely with experienced and friendly tutors who pay special attention to your child’s needs and monitor their work closely, the child will feel comfortable and safe even if they still make a few mistakes. Despite some initial obstacles, there will be progress as the child will get more than just instruction – they will also receive a positive outlook on learning and become more eager to deal with a subject that used to be difficult.

Love of learning makes everything easier

The positive attitude and love of education and learning are certain to make a child advance faster and easier than those who don’t enjoy the process. This is why it’s essential to show the children that there is a joy to be found in the learning process and that it isn’t so tiring and boring as they often think. 

Nobody likes doing boring things and if learning starts feeling like a chore to kids, they are more likely to rebel and find every opportunity to avoid it. However, if you make it fun and creative, kids will soon start asking for more.

For example, if your kids are learning about nature and animals, instead of having them read about it, take them outdoors to a farm where they can see in person what it is all about. If you’re practising spelling, toss a colourful ball back and forth or pass around a toy microphone – whoever holds the ball or the mic has to say the next letter. You can also try learning fractions with biscuits so when you finish, kids can eat them or do some simple science experiments in your kitchen. Your imagination is the only limit!

By raising children with a positive mindset towards school and learning, you eliminate stress from the equation and pave the road towards an enjoyable learning journey and success from an early age. It’s important that as a parent, you do your best to recognise and support your children’s needs and enable them to get proper education so they can reach their fullest potential. And, in the meantime, be loving and affectionate so they can grow knowing they’re loved for who they are!