Parents know that kids are always primed for picking up new skills. Taking advantage of your child’s innate ability to explore and learn can help them hone their academic abilities. Whether your child is struggling or needs new ways to stay busy, these strategies can help.
Use Technology to Expand Horizons
Most children are familiar with using screens for both school time and entertainment. And though the American Academy of Pediatrics used to caution parents against too much screen time, things have changed.
As VeryWell family explains, new guidelines suggest that parents screen apps before letting kids use them, stay engaged while devices are in use, and other smart tips that don’t limit screens to a set number of hours.
You can start smart screen time with recommendations on age-appropriate devices; most schools use Chromebooks, so your child may already be familiar with how these work. Then, download educational apps that require kids to participate rather than zone out.
Make Family Time a History Lesson
Keeping in touch with family is easier than ever these days. But modern parents are also spending more time with their kids than previous generations. This means children have the unique opportunity to connect with and learn from their relatives.
Stay busy by making family time into genealogy time, learning about your ancestors’ habits, language, and more. You might just spark an interest in learning a new language or diving deeper into history topics.
Try New Things, Together
One excellent way to encourage kids of all ages and abilities to try new things is to do it alongside them. Whether you’re introducing your child to a new activity for the first time or aiming for a second (or subsequent) attempt, make sure to get involved instead of standing on the sidelines, especially if your child is already fearful.
And, especially for working parents adapting to a new normal from home, finding ways to de-stress is also a priority.
So while you coax your child into earning PE credits with yoga at home, jump in and try the poses yourself, too. Yoga can help you be more mindful, reduce stress, and even burn calories. These simple stretches can also boost kids’ academic performance and focus, so there are benefits for the whole family.
Let the Kids Lead
In the same way that kids can behave differently at home versus school, they also learn differently, confirms Child Mind Institute. Rules, stressors, and teachers’ expectations shape the classroom, and children don’t have much of a voice.
In contrast, at home, the freedom to explore and make mistakes can mean a better learning environment, regardless of your child’s ability level. By letting your child lead, you might find that they dive deeper into subjects that interest them. They may even surprise you with their newfound skills or knowledge. Putting the power in your children’s hands can also do wonders for their confidence and their enjoyment of an activity.
While you can nudge your child in the direction of possible interests, asking them what they’d like to explore can also be beneficial. Depending on your child’s personality and hobbies, consider some of these activities for enrichment at home:
- Engaging STEM activities that use household items for science, technology, engineering, and math exploration.
- Reinforce math concepts with easy-prep math games for every grade level.
- Use simple craft projects to help kids relax and support sensory needs.
One of the best parts of parenting is watching your child learn something new—or finally grasp a tough concept or skill. With these strategies, you can encourage academic, personal, and physical growth—all without leaving home. While learning is a lifelong process, you can’t go wrong when you participate as a family, engage with new ideas, and let kids contribute.
This blog was written for you by Laura Pearson. Laura is passionate about teaching the younger generation. Edutude was built to share resources on how to keep children engaged and in love with learning.
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Stephanie Lema 