How to Help Your Child Become an Independent Learner

If your child gets really enthusiastic about a specific activity or subject, count yourself lucky. The excitement for learning that results from an interest in a specific area can be used to help him or her develop better reading and learning skills, an increased ability to concentrate, and a love for knowledge that can last a lifetime. Here are ways to make the most of your child's interests.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Magazines, books, DVDs, hobby materials and supplies, sports equipment
• Access to public and school libraries

1. If you've got a budding mathematician, a fledgling fashion designer, or a future baseball star in the making, find a magazine that specializes in that subject and get your child a subscription. It is amazing the variety of children's magazines published every month on every topic imaginable. (See the resources section, below, for some examples of children's magazines.)

2. Genre books, both fiction and nonfiction, are popular among children for their focus on everything from sports and science fiction to animal care. (One popular series of children's fiction books focuses on children whose parents operate a veterinary clinic; the children become involved in the practice, taking on responsibility for the animals in their care while experiencing lots of adventures.)

3. 
    
   Photo © Flávio Takemoto

   Visit interactive museums, classes in art, sports, or poetry writing; buy or rent special-interest DVDs; check out websites designed for children on various topics. The more access to information, the better.

4. If your child decides to take up a hobby, be sure you can afford not only to purchase the original supplies needed, but to replenish the supplies as they run out so that he doesn't have to abandon the hobby for lack of materials.

5. Let your child's teachers know of her involvement in hobbies, sports, and particular reading materials; a good teacher will often find ways of incorporating students' interests into lesson plans.

6. Of course, your budding NASA specialist may decide next week she really wants to be a gourmet chef, which means she'll need a different collection of books, magazines, and DVDs. Any money spent on the acquisition of knowledge is money well spent, especially where your child is concerned, but if you can't afford to buy these resources, don't worry. Libraries have gone way beyond books, and have resources available in a variety of media for your child to access.

Tips & Warnings

• Develop a budget for your child's sports, hobbies, and reading interests, and within that budget, give him a lot of leeway in deciding how to spend that money.
• If you are really hurting for money, don't give up. Check out Freecycle.org to see if you can find people willing to donate what you need. Also check out resources at schools and local social service organizations to see if they have programs that offer resources for low-income children.
• If your child is old enough earn money, encourage savings, but also allow her to spend a certain percentage of the income on her interests.
• Don't belittle your child's interest in a topic, or his ever-changing focus. It's normal for children to jump from interest to interest in their exploration of the world and what it offers. It is okay, however, to encourage persistence, and to insist that your child give a hobby or sport a good-faith try before abandoning it.
• Don't allow your child to get involved in too many activities at once. Two or three hobbies or activities at a time are enough; if you find her going in a dozen different directions, help her to rein herself in. If she scatters her energy too much, she won't get much benefit or enjoyment out of anything.

Resources

• Children's Magazines
• Freecycle.org
• More Photos by Anissa Thompson

[paigeannecarter]

on 10/9/2009 Yes, what you have written above is completely true. It is easier said than done however. Yet, as parents we are willing to sacrifice, for the best environment and future for our kids.
5*

[sullysee]

on 9/10/2009 I wish my parent would have had this kind of supportive attitude. Such an inspirational article for parents and family to indulge in. However, by whatever means, I did become an inependent learner. 5*

[betterbody]

on 7/10/2009 Parents who use your tips will help their children become independent learners.

[eclecticprof]

on 7/4/2009 I agree totally with your perspective on learning as an investment or 'money well spent.' Sometimes all a child needs is a new resource to take off in a new area. All my brother in law needed was a computer to take apart and play with and a tool box of computer tools (when he was 14). Now he can build computers, fix things better than the geek squad and builds websites for fun. You are right!

[63miranda]

on 6/26/2009 Great tips for encouraging a child! 5*