Mission Moments Blog
Igniting Love for Learning: How Family Fosters Educational Flames
Socrates tells us that “Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.” With that idea in mind, it further solidifies in my mind the importance of family in fostering a love of learning. A couple of weeks ago, in my blog, I shared some ideas about how parents and other family members can help kindle that flame and inspire a true love for learning.
I cannot resist offering a few more thoughts on this topic. Parents have a unique environment in which to tailor activities, books, games, etc., to the special interests and passions of their children. At times, a child’s passion is not at all what parents are interested in, but it is amazing how the more parents dig into a topic with their child, the more interesting and enjoyable it all becomes. This is the perfect example of how knowledge fosters what we come to love and enjoy.
Another important consideration is to reflect on our words and expectations, making sure we always celebrate effort and then progress. Point out improvements and notice what has been learned and mastered well. Do not offer empty praise - but rather, be specific and clear about what you noticed. It all begins with opening our eyes and noticing. If a student struggles in a certain subject, it is hard to notice the learning because it may come in very small increments. But that is what we need to work on: noticing those little improvements and building on them. Focus on the learning process, not just outcomes. Try to praise perseverance and improvement. If we make an effort in this regard, we not only foster a growth mindset for our students, but we reduce anxiety, build a sense of confidence, and hopefully inspire a love for learning. Children need to learn that effort and hard work breed success and enjoyment. At BA, we give that message often in the classroom, but the power of a parent in sharing this same message is extraordinary.
As moms and dads at home with our scholars, we can do a great deal to avoid excessive focus on grades and performance. Activities, social pressures, academics, and workload can certainly add stress or anxiety to a child’s day. So if we can limit pressure and comparison at home while celebrating lessons learned, tensions can melt away. As school and home encourage our students to embrace challenges and learn from mistakes, we must also encourage the growth mindset that focuses on competing with oneself and not on comparing with others - the goal is always self-improvement and personal growth. Brookfield Academy encourages team competitions on the playing field but in the classroom, we emphasize learning, growing, and doing our best. The Academy Triangle is the perfect way to send these messages in a unified manner.
Finally, as parents, we want to make sure our students see that we continue to love to learn even though our school days might be over. We want to have that conversation often and model our enthusiasm. Inspire them. That is what the Brookfield Academy has tried to do for over sixty years. As Socrates said, “Education is the kindling of a flame…” Encouragement, guidance, and love are the spark.
