Reawakening Your Child’s Love of Learning
By Rachel Moore, MD, Certified Dyslexia Practitioner
Do you have a child who resists school? Maybe even hates school? Does he avoid reading like the plague? Would she much rather be playing sports, making art or creating music? Are there tears at homework time? For some kids, these are temporary problems that can be worked out with time and patience. But, if you’re reading this, I’m willing to bet it’s more than that for you. Some kids just don’t FIT well in group schooling. It’s not a criticism of our public schools – they’re great for so many children. But, when it doesn’t work for you, it doesn’t work.
There are many reasons for this lack of fit. Sometimes there is a diagnostic label attached like a learning difference (sometimes called a “learning disability” by those a step behind). Specific learning differences are called dyslexia, dyscalculia and dysgraphia. Maybe it’s ADHD. Maybe your child is gifted. Maybe no one knows or you haven’t been to see someone for an “official diagnosis” yet. Maybe your kid just marches to her own drummer or is quiet or loud or needs a little space or…My point here is that labels matter less than results in the real world. If group schooling is failing your child, find a way that doesn’t fail them.
Many parents don’t even consider any options outside of traditional group schooling. It can be scary to go outside the mainstream. But, you should know that there is an entire world of options and a whole community of people who can support you should you decide to go a different route.
In my last blog, I talked about the microschooling trend and I’ll refer you there for details of that particular model of schooling. Today, I just want to talk about how kids really benefit from being able to participate truly and deeply in their own education. We sometimes forget that kids are natural learners and explorers. It’s kind of their thing. Curiosity just bubbles right out of children. So, the real trick of getting kids to learn essential skills (like math or reading or really anything) is to engage that curiosity. Once you have a kid on the scent of a new idea, learning becomes much more enjoyable. But this type of teaching/guiding is very individual. It takes time, patience and a real knowledge of the child. It is very challenging to achieve in large groups, but perfect for a homeschool of one or a microschool class of 3.
Reluctant learners can become enthusiastic learners, but they need to be enticed and encouraged. They need to be appreciated for their sometimes “off the wall” methods of approach (again, something that can be tolerated and respected in a small environment but may not be acceptable in a large group where “classroom management” must take priority). They need to be able to explore ideas at their own pace and to switch gears when they are at their limit for the day (wouldn’t we all like to do this?). And they need to be able to ask questions, good questions, without fear of reprisal or ridicule and in an environment where everyone asks questions, including the teacher. We should all ask questions and do our best to find honest answers. “No one knows everything” is an important first lesson. Oh, and make mistakes, LOTS of mistakes because that is the BEST way of all to learn. Every child should learn to love their mistakes. The best education is not simply a transfer of information. The best education shows you how to learn. When we strive for this kind of education for our kids, we can re-connect our children with their natural role as explorers and learners in the world and reawaken their love of learning.
Want more info on microschooling? Lancaster Reading Solutions, LLC has its own microschool in Lancaster for kids K to 6.
