What parents need to know about ‘learning’?

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

― Dr. Seuss, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!

Children’s education takes precedence over everything else in most households. The pandemic has changed the face of education, and now most parents are more actively involved in their children’s education than before. That’s why, today, we will explore what parents need to know about learning—be it online or offline. 

Things parents need to know about learning

A book by Ben Springer, GPS: Good Parenting Strategies: The No-Guilt Survival Guide for Parenting During the Pandemic and Beyond, explains the key aspects of learning that parents need to know about that are based on Dr John Hattie’s research in education. Dr Hattie is a professor of education and has worked as the Director of the Melbourne Educational Research Institute at the University of Melbourne, Australia. They are as follows:

• Learning takes time. Concepts learned early in school tend to loop in and out of a child’s learning. This takes time and regular attendance. That’s why parents need to ensure that their children show up for learning. 
• Learning is gradual. True mastery over a concept comes through the mundane, step-by-step process through the content. Learners need to chart out their path to master a concept. 
• Learning is a process. Like all processes, learning can be mapped and traced. That is why, education programs or curriculums have learning targets or essential standards. Good educators are likely to do it daily. It is a map to learn the learning process. 
• Learning requires passion. Learning needs to be made fun, and it can only be done through passionate educators. Passion is contagious and often spreads among the children regardless of the medium of instruction—online or offline. 
• Learning requires patience. Children need to be allowed enough time to master a concept. Learning cannot be rushed, as it requires patience on the part of educators and parents. 
• Learning requires ownership. Children need to take ownership of their learning. Ownership of learning means that they understand what they need to be learning and have plans in place to achieve their learning goals. Children also need to have access to learning maps and processes.

Parents can aid their child’s learning if they know these things about learning beforehand. Parents can support their child’s learning by asking their teachers for pointers, finding ways to motivate their child, and by acknowledging the effort that the child has put into learning. The importance of early learning for kids in their overall development is huge.

Did you find this article helpful? Did you know these things about learning? Let us know in the comments below. 

Reference:

• Springer, B. (2021). GPS: Good Parenting Strategies: The No-Guilt Survival Guide for Parenting During the Pandemic and Beyond. United States: SAGE Publications.
• Hattie, J. (2008). Visible Learning: A Synthesis of Over 800 Meta-Analyses Relating to Achievement. United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis.

Also read, 

• A Parent’s Guide To Happier Mealtimes
• How To Apologise: A 4-Step Guide for Children
• What Every Parent Should Know About Bedtime Routines