'Tweens and Enthusiastic Learning . . .

Is Your Tween and Enthusiastic Learner?

Help your child realize that learning is fun and adventurous

By Jennifer O'Donnell

Retrieved 9/18/15 from http://tweenparenting.about.com/od/educationissues/fl/Is-Your-Tween-and-Enthusiastic-Learner.htm?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=shareurlbuttons

"There's nothing like watching a toddler or a preschooler learn something new for the first time. They're enthusiastic, excited, and eager. Sometimes they can barely contain themselves through all the excitement. But older kids can loose their enthusiasm for school and for learning. If you think your child has abandoned his love for learning and no longer sees school or education as an adventure, it's time to make things fun again.

The tips below will help you bring out the enthusiastic learner in your child.

Steps to Encourage a Motivated Learner

Relate to the Real World: If your tween isn't embracing algebra or earth science, it might be because he doesn't see how it could possibly relate to his own life. Explain how the subjects he studies will impact how he sees and interacts with the real world. Provide examples on how geometry can be used to solve everyday challenges, or how the study of a language will be necessary if your child decides to one day study abroad. 

Work in Groups: The younger generation is a very collaborative generation, and they are comfortable and used to working together. Encourage your tween to invite friends over to work on homework. If a teacher allows students to collaborate on projects or assignments, be sure your child participates and helps take responsibility for the final project. 

Make it Visual: Young children love to look at pictures and photos and it helps them learn the material at hand, but older children also respond to visual aids. Power Points are used often in classrooms today, but they are often boring and students can easily be turned off by them. If you want to help your child relate to his studies, help him find visuals, such as photos, or videos. They will help your child connect to the subject at hand, and help your tween make connections that he might not otherwise make.

Have a Little Fun: A teacher who loves the course material will make a class exciting for any student, but your child might not have such a teacher, and if that's the case you might have to be the one who brings the material to life. Museums, newspapers, videos and other resources might help you inject some fun into your child's studies. If your child sees you get excited about learning, that might be enough to make him excited about it, too.

Give Your Tween a Choice: Your older child probably wants to make certain decisions for himself, and that can help him learn a lot. Allow your child to pick his course electives and to decide on his school projects and other assignments. Also, be sure you avoid taking over a project in the hopes that he gets a higher grade, that will only discourage him and cause him to lose interest. 

Show Him that Mistakes Can be Good: If your child is a perfectionist he might get discouraged by a bad grade or by making a mistake on a project or assignment. Teach your tween to understand that mistakes can be very helpful learning tools and that many very bright learners discovered things just by making mistakes. Helping your child understand that mistakes are a part of the path of discovery will help him chart a course for success."