Nobody is born a great learner, and parents and teachers must work together to encourage a healthy love for learning – especially among younger children. The good news is that there is plenty of literature based on this, with a Parent Guide by the government providing a step-by-step guide to help parents encourage their children. Thankfully you don’t need to read through this heavy literature, and any parent can follow the below tips to help their kids grow up to be curious, independent learners.

Help them discover what they like

Studies show that interest drives learning: when children are interested in what they’re learning, they pay closer attention and retain more information. As they grow and their personalities develop, they will discover new things that interest them, and as parents, we must give them ample opportunity to do so. Present your kids with a wide range of experiences – introduce them to new books and videos, take them to museums and zoos, and perhaps even include them in your own hobbies whenever possible.

Liz Russell of Let Grow suggests giving children experiences instead of gifts, making use of the Peak-End Theory to encourage learning and development. Not only does this expose your child to a wealth of experiences, but it also gives you a chance to enjoy more time with them.

Give them control

While the opportunity to discover new interests is important, parents must also recognize and support current ones. Allow your children to choose books to read and movies to watch, and include them in decisions related to their learning experiences. Even from a young age, kids already have a desire for autonomy, and helping them fulfill this need is essential to helping them grow into well-adjusted individuals. The Self-Determination Theory likewise recommends understanding kids’ perspectives and cultivate activities that would be interesting to them, all while providing the necessary structure and support.

Moreover, consider the way you communicate with your child regarding their education – be it homework or school experiences. Replace pressuring words like “need to” and “should” with gentler language. This helps children better feel like they have a say in what happens, encouraging them to be more involved in the activities.

Provide continued support and guidance

One important thing to remember is that your role as a parent does not end once your children have found a learning experience they enjoy, or once they leave for school. Instead, parents must provide continued support for their children’s interests and provide them with a good learning environment. Talk with your child's teachers to determine what teaching style is most effective on them, and how you can better support their education in the long run. Depending on your child’s needs, you may want to consider enrolling your child in a daycare that practices the Montessori method.

Unlike traditional schools, Montessori schools possess a flexible curriculum that lets children learn at their own pace. By providing students with a child-oriented learning environment and equipping them with self-correcting practices, learning becomes less of a chore, and more of an experience to enjoy.

Prepare for the road ahead

Learning is a life-long process, and it’s important that you prepare not just your child, but yourself. This means continuing to give them every opportunity to succeed and supporting their dreams – whenever reasonable.

Supporting your children throughout their learning journey can be an expensive endeavor, so it’s important to prepare for the road ahead. Thankfully, the National Center for Education and the Economy has several programs helping families meet children’s educational needs, through free education and even counseling services for struggling students and parents. Parents with young children can also try investing in a Registered Education Savings Plan to ensure that their kids have ample support down the line. This shows your children that you value their education and are serious about supporting them long-term.

Celebrate the small things

All parents should strive to celebrate their children’s achievements, no matter how small. The system has unfortunately cultivated a very grade-centric environment, and this puts immense pressure on children to succeed. Worse yet, Jim Taylor, a psychologist specializing in parenting, says that culture has developed a transaction called “outcome love”, in which parents reward their children’s success with love, and punish failure by withholding it. “If parents send frequent messages of love, happiness, and excitement when their children are successful and frequent messages of withdrawal of love or anger, frustration, and disappointment when their children fail to live up to their parents’ expectations, the kids will make that connection,” he explains.

This doesn’t necessarily mean rewarding your children for every little success either. Instead, acknowledge the good they accomplish, or recall positive experiences with them and let them know that you appreciate the effort they put into their education – even if things don’t always go well. This way, they develop a positive mindset about learning and understand that you are there to support them no matter what.

Article Authored by Alison Palmer.