Below See: TIPS, IDEAS & SUGGESTIONS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF LEARNING A NEW SKILL AT ALL AGES
Basic Learning Skills: Experience with My Grandkids
In order to understand the importance of learning we need to identify areas of strengths and areas of weaknesses in the learning process.
Over the past six years, while raising my two grandkids, I’ve found that the importance of learning is instilled at a very young age.
Amazingly, babies learn from the instant they are born, but the appreciation for learning is truly learned through your environment.
During my two grandkid’s young life, they learned through adversity. Due to tumultuous home life, their opportunities for learning were limited.
Fortunately, my grandkids hit all of their developing markers as babies and toddlers. However, when they entered school, they were developmentally behind in several areas.
Due to the lack of structure in their home, the children were deficient in the support they needed to be successful students.
But we know that learning is not simply about the ABCs. Learning involves multiple other areas, including social interactions, manners, respect, discipline, turn-taking, sharing, etc.
Since the children did not receive the reinforcement or support, they needed at home, they didn’t really understand their role in school or in social settings.
They viewed school as only a social gathering and didn’t genuinely understand the purpose or importance of school itself. Without support from home, the kids failed to complete or submit homework assignments. They were not engaged in the classroom and they filled their days mostly daydreaming.
Their iPad, which was distributed to every student in the district, became their best friend, their parent, and their babysitter. Both kids were absorbed with their iPads from the minute they got home from school until they left the next day.
My granddaughter often played outside….usually unsupervised, but my grandson, as we later learned, was on the autism spectrum and did not typically enjoy being with other kids. So, the iPad was his resource for comfort.
At home, the kids were not held responsible to do or show any homework, so they felt homework did not apply to them.
Because of the lack of supervision at home, they lost interest in doing any schoolwork either in or out of the classroom. Sadly, caring about school became less important as they aged.
Without fully understanding the basic educational requirements and responsibilities as a student, both children viewed school as only a social environment, rather than an opportunity for learning.
Unfortunately, by the time they moved in with me, they didn’t have the slightest concern about school. But, of course, I did!
They both had the capability and potential for gaining knowledge in the classroom, but their attentiveness and interest were extremely low.
So, the struggle began. Since then, I’ve spent the last six years encouraging them to see the importance of learning as well as the benefits they can gain from education.
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Learning Challenges: My Two Grandkids
Through the years, several learning challenges were discovered with my two grandkids. It was determined that both children had mental health issues.
My grandson was diagnosed on the autism spectrum. Because he was/is considered “high functioning”, a very misleading term, he was not correctly diagnosed until he was 11 years old.
Yet, his ability to interact and socialize with others was always quite obvious. His diagnosis took years to obtain, which prolonged and delayed support services both in school and at home.
However, after his autism diagnosis, his expectations for learning were lowered by his family and the school.
Sadly, my grandson withdrew from actually learning in school, due to his delayed diagnosis.
As he went through Middle School and High School his lack of effort became more prevalent and he became lazier and lazier.
In some ways, I believe that due to his diagnosis, the school allowed him to ignore his schoolwork, even though he was fully capable of achieving higher levels of learning.
He had the ability for learning, but his willingness to learn, as well as his school support, was less.
Although he has developed great knowledge over the years, mainly due to his own efforts, he has no interest or desire for furthering his education, which is very disappointing for his future goals.
My granddaughter was diagnosed with ADHD, but not until 4th grade. At that time, we decided not to use traditional medications.
Without medication, we focused on various strategies she could use at home and in school. Although the strategies are not perfect, we continue to work with natural resources to aid with her ADHD symptoms.
Had both children been diagnosed earlier, they would have been provided the tools and support they needed to become successful learners.
Now, it is extremely difficult to catch up with the skills they lacked as young children. Proving that the importance of learning is truly instilled at a very young age.
To read more about Challenges Faced By Students in School.
The Importance of Learning: The First 24 Months of Life
The importance of learning starts from the minute we enter the world as a newborn. At that time, we begin learning. And we continue to learn throughout our lives.
Neurological studies tell us that the first two years of life are full of learning. This short time period is when brains are developing and the importance of learning is the most evident.
From newborn to 2 years old, babies thrive on new experiences. And by the end of their first 24 months, they have fully mastered the importance of learning.
Starting with the very basics; newborn infants begin learning to hold their heads up within the first few weeks or months of life.
Within weeks babies are catching a glimpse of their hand and learning it is theirs, a part of them. Eventually, they learn their hand is attached to an arm and that arm and hand will begin to learn to reach and grab objects.
Babies will learn to laugh and cry and all the triggers that cause a parent or another human to respond.
As they grow through the months, they will learn to use their legs to kick. They will figure out the importance of learning to use their bodies to roll over and sit up.
Babies’ legs become magical learning tools for crawling, pulling up to stand, and eventually walking and running!
With every new discovery, a new lesson is learned, including language, emotions, gestures, and affection.
These phenomenal lessons lead babies to understand the importance of learning. And, it is truly amazing!
The Benefits of Learning
As babies grow the world around them begins to expand exponentially. Babies become toddlers and learn to run and climb.
They learn to communicate, in their own language and sometimes in multiple languages! Remarkable!
As a mother of five, now a grandmother of five, and raising my two oldest grandkids, I’ve spent many years watching children discover the benefits of learning.
I’ve not only enjoyed watching my children and grandchildren learn, I truly appreciate the opportunity for teaching them new skills.
Seeing the amazement in a child’s eyes and face when they learn a new skill is incredible!
Honestly, one of the best rewards as a parent, grandparent, or teacher is watching the expression on a child’s face when they learn something new.
It truly makes you understand the importance of learning and the importance of teaching!
Motivating Children to Learn
Young children’s motivation to learn is through play and interactions with others. Children learn by watching, listening, and doing.
The importance of learning is seen through play, children develop problem-solving and creativity.
When children begin school, they learn through social interactions with their classmates. They learn turn-taking, how to share, and organizational tasks.
Children also learn about the rules of the classroom such as quiet time, reading time, and raising hands to ask or answer a question.
These basic learning lessons become the groundwork for how children learn everything and anything.
Children begin to understand that they need to listen and pay attention to their teacher, their parent, or even their friend to truly learn and comprehend a task.
Once children grasp the concept and responsibility of learning they typically become motivated to continue to learn. Especially when it is something of interest to them.
As children get older, they, along with their parents and teachers, become aware of the child’s learning style. Every child learns differently from the next child.
What Type of Learner are You?
Understanding and learning your child’s learning style will help identify positive and negative methods in your child’s particular learning style.
Children, parents, and teachers should always ask themselves, what type of learners are they?
Knowing your learning style can help you learn to the best of your ability.
There are 7 different types of learning styles. However, since every person is unique, learners could fall into various categories of learning styles and not only one.
Learning Styles:
1. Visual Learners
Visual learners remember information through pictures and videos. Visual or spatial learners learn best by remembering materials through images and visual recall.
2. Auditory Learners
Auditory learners learn best through sound. Auditory learners absorb and retain information through lectures and speeches. They also learn through audiobooks as well as various options of music.
3. Kinaesthetic (Physical) Learners
Kinaesthetic or physical learners learn through hands-on work. Physically doing activities, experiments, and role-playing is their preferred learning style. Kinaesthetic learners want to do things themselves in order to truly learn.
4. Verbal Learners
Verbal learners learn best through written data whether spoken, read, or repeated out loud. They are constant note-takers. Verbal learners learn best by reading, including poems and rhymes.
5. Social Learners
Social learners enjoy being around people. They learn best in group environments, including study groups and group activities.
6. Solitary Learners
Solitary learners learn best when working alone. They may find it difficult to work in group environments. Solitary learners may choose independent reading activities and pre-recorded lectures.
7. Logical Learners
Logical learners use logic and structures to effectively learn. Often logical learners are good with statistics and numbers. Logical learners ask lots of questions because they want to know why something happened to truly understand it.
Teenage Learning
Some schools may find it can be extremely challenging to encourage teenage learning in the classroom.
Many teenagers do not demonstrate a real interest in learning without being forced by teachers and parents.
Often teenagers resist the opportunities to gain knowledge schools have to offer. They refuse to accept or appreciate the importance of learning regardless of the school environment.
While teenagers have access to information through technology at their fingertips, they don’t always use it to their advantage in a school environment.
Due to brain changes in teenagers’ pre-frontal cortex, the area responsible for problem-solving, risk-taking, decision-making, and socializing, behaviors during teen years can be significant and dramatic.
Therefore, it is important for teachers and parents to acknowledge these changes and recognize the impact the teenage brain may have on behaviors both in and out of school.
Learning New Skills and Knowledge
Proving more facts about the importance of learning. There are multiple benefits to learning new skills and knowledge. However, the biggest benefit is simply acquiring new knowledge about a subject or topic.
Whether you are learning a new word or phrase, a new discovery, or a new idea, your brain absorbs information it did not have before.
Additionally, learning keeps your mind healthy, active, and strong. Research has shown that continual learning throughout our lives can help us avoid anxiety and depression.
Learning helps build confidence and self-assurance, especially as we get older. It also makes individuals believe in themselves and their abilities to achieve something new.
Professionally, those learning new skills and knowledge in their career show their commitment to employers and team members.
Employees learning new skills in their field are often given opportunities for advancement and higher-paying positions.
The Importance of Learning New Skills
There are so many things most of us would love to learn. Although many of us may not have the time to actually learn a new skill, most of us have thought of things we’d like to know and learn.
Honestly, when we stop to think about what we would like to learn the list could be quite long. Would you like to learn to play an instrument, speak another language, play a sport, or ride a motorcycle?
Personally, I’d like to learn every one of those things and more. Learning anything new stimulates your brain, regardless of your age.
It is also proven that people learning new skills are less likely to have memory issues, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Further research has shown that learning new skills can actually reshape our brains. It also shows that learning in every aspect has positive effects on the brain’s responses.
Meaning that simply learning a new skill is good for your overall health, happiness, and self-confidence.
Additionally, learning new skills broadens your overall knowledge and makes you more well-rounded and easily relatable.
How to Learn New Skills?
Learning a new skill boosts internal excitement and makes us feel proud of our accomplishments. But what are the best steps to know how to learn new skills?
Here are a few suggestions anyone can use to help them know how to learn new skills.
1. Make a list of the new skills you want to learn. It’s important to write down the goals you want to achieve.
2. Establish a timeline for learning a new skill. Your timeline should be decided along with your list of goals.
3. Define what resources and/or supplies you will need to accomplish when learning your new skill.
4. Determine what obstacles you may face and how to resolve and/or identify them realistically.
5. Concentrate on learning one new skill at a time. Don’t overwhelm yourself with too many things at once.
6. Allow time to focus on learning your new skill. Give yourself the opportunity to prioritize your time for learning.
7. Ask for help when you need it. Learning a new skill is hard. Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance when you need support.
Always remember, there are many people who are willing to help you when you are learning a new skill. Often, people are hesitant to ask for help from others.
But, keep in mind, you would most likely help someone else with something you knew if they needed it. So, you should not be reluctant to take help when you may need it.
Helping people learn a new skill is one of the best ways of giving back to others.
Design for How People Learn (Voices That Matter) Focuses on The Importance of Learning
What I Have Learned About the Importance of Learning
As a parent and a grandparent raising grandkids, it’s important to acknowledge what I have learned about the importance of learning.
Over the years, I have learned how I can support my two grandkids while they are learning new skills and knowledge.
Due to my grandkid’s early childhood experiences, they missed out on many childhood learning opportunities.
Understanding and sharing areas of learning your children missed in childhood will help identify areas they need to be strengthened throughout their learning process.
Also, recognizing areas of weakness in your child’s learning development will provide details about individual learning styles.
For me, I always schedule meetings with teachers, counselors, case managers, etc. at the beginning of the school year, and throughout the year to be sure everyone is staying on task.
Regardless of the school’s support, it is vitally important you advocate for your child and keep frequent lines of communication open.
Consequently, identifying your child’s personal learning challenges will reveal the most productive strategies and tools for teachers and students to improve learning for a lifetime.
For additional information on the importance of learning and Homework Help Ideas, see Supportive Homework Help.
TIPS, IDEAS & SUGGESTIONS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF LEARNING A NEW SKILL AT ALL AGES
- Make Lists. Make a list of the new skills you want to learn.
- Add goals & timelines to your lists to keep yourself on track and accountable for learning your new skill.
- Prioritize. If you commit to learning a new skill, you’ll need to prioritize your schedule to include learning.
- Be prepared. Be sure you have the time, the interest, and the necessary supplies to learn your new skill.
- Research. Make sure you complete research on your topic before jumping into learning something new.
- Be patient. The importance of learning something new takes time. Allow yourself as much time as necessary to learn your new skill.
