As parents, we have to power to inspire our children to love learning. No teaching degree is necessary, but time, effort, enthusiasm, and an open mind certainly are. With those 4 ingredients, we can help our children to firmly plant the roots of learning into their world.
As those roots grow deeper, our children need to branch out on their own. While they still need to be nurtured, we need to take a step back and listen a little more to what and how they want to learn. If we follow their lead, the chances are greater that they will develop a love of learning on their own terms.
Learning comes in many forms, and while adults can and should help children to realize that, the individual child ultimately must figure out how she or he learns best.
Sometimes, art and music can open doors of learning that other more traditional methods may not. Not only that, but they can both help children to relieve stress and to develop a true sense of focus.
While every child will not become the next Picasso or Mozart, each of them does deserve the opportunity to experience the wonder of art and music, whether it's at home or at school.
I'd like to share a must-read article and a prior post relating to this subject, as well as an eye-opening video about the pressure our children are under:
- Parenting.com's Why Art Makes Kids Smarter which I found via @DavisArtImages and @parenting on Twitter.
- Race to Nowhere film trailer, found via @MarjieKnudsen on Twitter.
So, how does a learning garden grow? Well, to me, the art is the sunshine and the music is the water. Art and music matter!
Please feel free to share your thoughts...
