By making conscious efforts to help children, parents can break out of the teacher-led learning system and can be encouraged to self-study and learn.
The art of self-study is a vital yet neglected skill in the Indian education system. With learning and chalk-and-talk pedagogies defining school education, self-study is rarely followed. Yet the art of self-study, i.e. self-teaching using books, the internet or through exploration, etc., is imperative for effective and efficient learning and good academic records in the long run. When children are judged by themselves, they control their pace and react based on their own speed, abilities and tap into their inner curiosity and creativity to take responsibility for their own learning and progress. But self-learning does not come naturally to all children.
Self-study is important because it shifts the focus of learning from educators to students themselves. Your child will therefore become more interested and motivated to learn. Learning activities like guided lecture, reflective writing and group study will be easier for them and they will be more engaged in these contexts.
Besides an important encore, your child will be responsible for their own decisions and actions for their learning. They will be able to apply their knowledge to real-world problems and develop the skills needed to solve those problems. They can also develop the decision-making skills to handle situations with confidence since they already know how to think and learn independently. Top 3 Tips to Improve Your Math Skills
What Parents Can Do-
Allow children to play freely- If you think about it, children are the fastest to pick up new talents and skills while playing; whether it’s learning to draw, creating fun shapes with playdough, building structures using legos or even improving motor skills like running, jumping. While playing, children are on their own and have to fend for themselves, pushing them to use their imagination, creativity and learning potential to the fullest.
Self guided learning opportunities- We can encourage children to find their interests by offering them self-learning opportunities from early childhood education. Taking simple steps like having crayons and paper in their room, giving easy access to their placards so they can pick out their clothes, allowing them to make their own bowl of cereal, or picking out books to read from una pila is a start. You will notice that they will soon have to multi-task independently with a little guidance from your side.
Try to add more learning games- Playtime is often disconnected from the child’s natural environment or the environment to which they are exposed. However, as a parent, you can start introducing them to everyday concepts as they play. Adding games that are more inclined towards the learning and growing of children can be beneficial for their future and overall development.
Make effort the priority of success- Nowadays, failures are not seen as setbacks. Even at an early age, failure is recognition of having tried something new. Also, allow the child to make as many mistakes as possible while trying tasks, show him the importance of having made the effort rather than focusing on success. Children who are afraid of failing are less likely to try new things, while children who are encouraged to try will, in fact, try harder. Eliminate the fear of failure.
Self-learning is an important attribute in the growth of a child’s mind. Directing their own learning by identifying their learning needs, strengths and weaknesses, children can learn new things about themselves. There are many after school programmes that focus on the art of self-learning.
Kumon is an after school programme that helps children with their literacy and numeracy skills by instilling confidence and the art of self-learning in them.
