Step Out of the Boat If You Want to Walk on Water

We as parents have to understand that there is a difference between teaching basic learning skills like reading, writing and arithmetic and the acquirement of knowledge in itself.

During your children’s education there must be a healthy balance between the discipline and correction of the “how,” and the freedom and passion of the “what.”

How they learn:

Children must be taught how to learn by introducing them to the basic learning skills like reading, writing and arithmetic. This is where discipline and instilling of good learning habits is necessary.

This stage can be very frustrating for some children, especially if they are pushed beyond their level of ability. It is of vital importance to constantly monitor the child’s learning process, and adjust the requirements so that the child can always experience success in these areas.

In this stage you are teaching your child the tools he or she will need to educate themselves.

What they learn:

But, once they have learned to use the tools, they need freedom. This is where you let go. Children need much more freedom to pursue subjects of their own interest.

Let go of your children. Let them delve into a subject of their choice. Let them focus on an area that is relevant to their lives. Once they discover how they can find out more about the subject they are passionate about, nothing will stop them from becoming an expert in it. And, voilá!…Your child has reached the culmination of any healthy learning process!

And don’t be afraid of learning gaps! The biggest learning gap there has ever been is that of a child who has lost the passion for learning by himself.

Once your child has figured out how to study any subject of his or her own choice, he will be a life-long learner, —instead of arriving at age 18 burnt out with excessive study he could never relate to personally.