Children start out with a natural interest in learning, and your Montessori
preschool nurtures that interest
rather than promoting rote-memorization as a learning process. To do that, they
use the Montessori Method to instill a love of the learning process, allowing
children to develop their own learning patterns and subject interests as they
progress.
Relevance Matters
Show your children how the things they learn can make a difference
in their lives. Counting coins helps them decide on treats to buy, for example,
or adding the right amount of sweetener makes the kool aid taste more appetizing.
When kids understand how learning things can make life better or easier they
will be more interested in the learning process.
Ask Every Question
Kids are born with a curiosity about the world they live in. Encourage
your son to ask questions, and ask
him questions that motivate learning. When you take the time to ask and answer
questions, you are showing him that being inquisitive helps him discover new
things. Don’t turn his life into a continuous test, but make it obvious that
investigation and exploration will broaden his figurative horizons.
Listen, Watch, Inspire and Assist
By paying attention to the things which interest your child, you
can help her be more interested in the learning process. Make her favorite
materials available, and listen to her wants and concerns. If you take
an active interest in her active interests, you demonstrate to her that she matters and that helps her
become more confident in making decisions and choosing her own educational
patterns.
Encourage Rather Than Force
If you transform the learning process into an exciting and
entertaining adventure, children will want more of it. One of the problems with
traditional educational systems is that the whole learning process has been put
on a schedule which children are forced to abide or be left behind. Instead,
encourage your children’s interest and make educational materials available
without forcing them to study this subject and work on that task.
Perhaps the most important thing you can do to encourage your
child to enjoy learning is to enjoy learning new things yourself. Instead of
sending your child down the educational path alone, go with her and allow her
learning process to be yours as well. After all, what she sees you taking an
interest in is going to naturally be an inspiration for her.
