Your children are growing up quickly, and soon it will be time for 3K and 4K. So how do you get them to embrace learning before they head off to school.
According to Dana Brumm, Curriculum Specialist for Ebenezer Child Care Centers with locations in downtown Milwaukee, Oak Creek, and on the West Allis/Wauwatosa border, “Children have a natural desire to learn about the world around them, so it is actually easier than you may think to get them to embrace learning.”
Here are some tips.
Make It Relevant
Brumm says, when it comes to learning, always take advantage of the learning opportunities around you.
“When you go to the grocery store, take your little ones with you and have them work on their math skills by counting the number of apples you put in your bag. Or, have your children work on letter recognition by having them find the soup that begins with the letter T. Making learning relative to your surroundings is easier than you might think! You just have to look for the opportunities.”
Bring It to Life
When reading stories together, Brumm says parents should think about how they can bring situations in books to life to extend learning opportunities.
If you are reading about animals, take a trip to the zoo to learn more about the animals you just read about. If the characters in your book are baking, try making something similar with your little ones. The point is to extend the teachable moment.”
Make It Fun
Brumm points out that children love being creative, and that creativity is one of the most fun ways to learn. If you want to have your children work on their letters, get a box of 64 crayons, and let them use all the different colors to write the alphabet.
Likewise, if you want to have your children master their colors, let them finger paint with the three primary colors and then mix colors to create others. Art projects like painting, coloring, and cutting are great ways to learn.
Be Engaged
Brumm says children are more open to learning when the adults with them are completely engaged. For this reason, it is imperative for parents to put their electronic devices aside and simply be focused on their time together with their children.
“We live in a busy world. However, as parents, we need to remember that genuine attention is critical to showing children you care about them and encouraging learning,” adds Brumm.
Ebenezer Child Care Centers is a not-for-profit, locally based agency committed to providing early childhood programs from the heart. The agency prides itself on being different from other child care providers in that it offers a home-like atmosphere; individualized, nurturing care; and a structured curriculum that is virtues-based for every child’s developmental stage.
Every Ebenezer Child Care Center focuses on all aspects of a child’s development: cognitive, physical, emotional, and social. In addition to providing quality care, the agency also offers other educational programming all aimed at helping parents.
The agency has locations in downtown Milwaukee, Oak Creek, and on the West Allis/Wauwatosa border. The agency’s main office is located at 1136 S.108th Street, West Allis.
