A child’s academic success is a collaborative effort between teachers, students, and parents. But before a child starts preschool, all the responsibility rests upon the parents’ shoulders.
As a parent, you can play a vital role in your child’s learning journey, fostering long-term academic motivation. That said, it is completely normal to feel overwhelmed. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to nurture your child’s education journey. Here’s a closer look:
Create a Learning Environment
Learning begins at home as parental influences impact a child’s life long before other influences come into the equation. The best thing you can do is create an at-home learning environment. This could mean setting up a designated study space with minimal distractions, good lighting, and comfortable furniture.
Keep the area clutter-free and make sure their study table has all the necessary supplies. Establishing a consistent learning schedule can also build motivation and confidence.
Establish a Balanced Routine
While creating a study schedule is helpful, it is important to maintain balance. Ensure your child balances their time between studying, playing, and resting. A variety of activities will support your child’s physical, social, and cognitive development before they start preschool.
Pro tip? Involve your child when creating a schedule. Let them suggest activities and learning styles to ensure a sense of ownership.
Consider Autism Diagnosis Evaluation
According to a study, 1 in 6 children aged 3-17 has a developmental disorder, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Although early signs are noticed, many children aren’t diagnosed until later. This can hinder a child’s educational journey and lead to long-term social, behavioral, and emotional difficulties.
Fortunately, there is a way to avoid this. An autism diagnosis evaluation will give you the best chance at enhanced learning and development outcomes. As a parent, you can intervene early and leverage appropriate support services.
Choose the Right Preschool Program
Preschool lays the foundation for your child’s lifelong learning. So it’s extremely important that you find a place that fosters curiosity, creativity, and a love for learning.
At a preschool, children develop core academic skills (like recognizing colors, letters, or numbers), fine motor skills (like holding a pencil), and cognitive abilities (problem solving or critical thinking).
So, how can you find the right preschool program for your little one? Look for these features:
- Clean, safe, and well-maintained environment
- Educated and trained staff
- Low child-to-staff ratio
- Supportive environment and appropriate discipline policies
- Open communication with parents
Encourage Curiosity and Exploration
Nurturing curiosity and exploration in your child is one of the biggest challenges parents have to face. Here are some tips you can follow:
- Expand their horizon. Visit museums, nature centres, or other environments with your child to spark their interest.
- Ask open-ended questions. Use words like “who,” “why,” “where,” and “how” to encourage them to think deeply and provide a more detailed response.
- Answer their questions enthusiastically. And always ask for your child’s thoughts before answering.
- Encourage new physical hobbies like learning to play a musical instrument.
.){kind=link}