Motivation... The Key to Your Child's Educational Success

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By: GranMamma

For the first year or two of life outside the womb, our brains are in
the most impressionable state they will ever be in. A baby's brain is
immediately shaped by interacting with their environment. As a parent,
one can have a large influence on their newborns first encounters with
learning.

The mind learns optimally when appropriately challenged in an
environment that encourages taking risks. However, under perceived
threat, the mind does not perform as well. This makes it harder to
learn when you are nervous, stressed, or not feeling well.

Before a child learns to talk, they experience emotions.
Emotions are another source for improving memory. People are better at
recalling stories that held strong feelings. The emotional context
plays an important role in the learning process. People with excellent
memories have multiple interests. We naturally remember what we are
interested in. As a parent, it is crucial to teach your child the value
of learning.

Motivation is the key to learning. You can help your child to
discover this thirst of knowledge before they even enter school. Here
are some key steps in preparing your child to be a stellar student:

1. Fill your home with reading. Read to your child daily. Fill
your home with reading material such as novels, newspapers, and
educational magazines. A child is influenced by their surroundings.
When a son or daughter sees a parent reading at a young age, it makes
an impression. As parents, we can foster that with a love for learning.
Parents are the most important modeling agent in a child's life.

2. Encourage your child to explore his or her interests. If you
have a son who loves animals, offer him some educational books about
animals. If he's young, allow him to explore the world Of the National
Geographic Magazines. You could also direct him to some websites that
explore animal facts. You're enthusiasm over your child is motivation
in itself.

3. Provide play opportunities that offer different types of
learning styles. Play is one of the most powerful vehicles through
which children master new skill, concepts, and experiences. This will
help them solve the challenges they meet in school. Through the use of
blocks, your child will develop his or her creative expression and
problem solving skills. A cash register would help them recreate their
own experiences. However, boxes of various sizes can be great toys that
encourage your child to be creative in his or her creations.

4. When your child starts school, make sure that they are organized. An organized folder lends To an organized mind.

5. Celebrate achievements. Reward your child for large and small
achievements, whether it's finishing a book or completing a major
assignment in school. Positive reinforcement encourages a child to
continue to challenge themselves.

6. Use everyday event as learning opportunities.Encourage your
child to explore his/her world. Continually ask questions and make
connections that build upon their existing knowledge. The brain learns
through associations.

As a central role model, moms and dads have the responsibility to create an environment that fosters a love for learning.

GranMamma is the webmaster at the Baby Names Box
- Where you can explore over 6,000 baby names and their meanings.
Sub-categories include Disney ,J.R. Tolkien names, Fantasy and Folklore
names, and many names from the literary classics. Be sure to say hi to
GranMamma!