How do children learn?
For children there is something new to discover and experience every day. Unlike adults, their perception isn't yet directed, which means they are open with all their senses to all kinds of stimuli and impulses. But how do children learn in the process?
Curiosity:Children are naturally curious and geared toward discovery. They quickly find something that interests them and that they can become enthusiastic about. Even if parents can't always understand the excitement about a leaf or a particular sound, your child learns a bit about nature and trains their hearing in the process.
Imagination:Children have huge imaginations. Things appear where there are none and suddenly they find themselves in a completely different world. In their made-up stories they weave in their feelings and experiences, which helps them process and learn from them.
Role play:From around three years old your child begins to play role-play games: mother-father-child, teddy at the doctor's, or shop. Whether with appropriate toys or improvised props, your child learns to put themselves in others' shoes and already practices for the adult world.
Imitation:Watching parents clean the home or prepare food is interesting even for toddlers. They want to quickly join in and help. When they take on age-appropriate tasks, they learn skills for later and will already know how to vacuum and cook pasta.
Helicopter parents: Let your child be a child
For some time now the term helicopter parents is on everyone's lips - but what exactly is it?Helicopter parents hover constantly around their childrenand are overly afraid that something might happen. But children need to be able to play freely and sometimes climb the slide on their own and maybe even scrape their knee, because that's the only way they'll learn how to do better next time. Getting dirty while playing is part of it, as is arguing with another child over the same toy.
Parents who intervene too quickly and too often, deprive their child of important experiences. Being nearby and offering support is good, but excessive caution can transfer to your child and they may become timid and dependent on your approval before trying something. So give your child the opportunity to make mistakes and learn from them.
How can I let my child be a child?
Give space:Give your child enough freedom and make sure the whole week isn't already scheduled with activities like sports, dance classes, music lessons, or tutoring. While the little ones do experience many new impressions, the point of a hobby is not to keep your child constantly under (time) pressure, having to do this today and that tomorrow. After all, there should still be time to simply play alone or with friends.
Consider interests:Let your child decide what they want to do in their free time. If, for example, they want to sign up for a course or club, primarily consider the child's interests. Many parents often try to impose their own interests on their offspring or push hobbies they themselves perhaps never had the chance to pursue. In general that's the wrong approach, because the child may be enthusiastic about completely different things.
Enjoy family time:With all hobbies and leisure activities one thing should not be forgotten: time with the family. Every child needs to spend time with mom and dad and to be held sometimes – even the most fun pastime can't replace that. Family time gives kids support, security and, above all, the feeling of simply being able to be a child. There's also a lot to learn and experience at home. Of course there are many lovely games for the whole family that you can try together.
