5 important learning skills for children

Watching children learn, grow, and develop the necessary skills they need in life is very rewarding, both for parents and educators. From the first day of kindergarten to high school graduations, we as parents and educators enjoy many milestones to be proud of and celebrate in children’s lives. These achievements are accomplished by learning, developing new skills, and determination, which is why it’s important to instil useful learning skills in your child. Read on to discover five important learning skills to help your child grow.

1. Communication

Communication is fundamental to children’s development and growth, as they need to have the ability to understand, interact, and communicate with others. As adults, we know that it is the foundation of relationships, so it is important that we practice communication with young children. An easy way to help your child develop their communication skills can be spending time listening and responding to them at home.

2. Making Connections

As children learn to make new connections, the more sense and meaning they will make of the world. It is important for children to learn how to make connections in life as it expands their way of thinking. As young children grow and develop, they begin to see connections and patterns, which helps them to better understand the world around them. Help your child build and make connections by simply getting them to point out abstract connections in a book they’ve read or a movie they’ve watched.

3. Problem-solving

We live in a competitive world and in order to stay ahead, children need to develop the ability to think strategically and critically. As children grow up, their skills and capabilities change, and school work may become more difficult. From learning how to add and subtract simple numbers, to solving complex maths problems, we want children to learn to observe, analyse, and use creative strategies to solve problems. An effective way to get your child to practice problem-solving is to ask them questions like “why?”, and “what if?”, and encourage them to think outside the box.

4. Critical thinking

As parents, we know that we are required to analyse information and obtain knowledge to make appropriate day-to-day decisions. Encouraging children to think critically helps them learn how to make sound decisions, think rationally, understand consequences, and solve problems. Give your children the opportunity to play and experiment, as it enables them to formulate hypotheses, test how things work, and seek solutions. This motivates children to think in new and different ways, which are essential elements of critical thinking.

5. Learning from mistakes

We all make mistakes, as nobody is perfect. It isn’t a sign of weakness or failure, but instead, it builds resilience and strength, which are some of the most important traits children can develop in life. As parents and educators, we want to encourage children not to be afraid to take on big challenges and to make mistakes. Simple activities such as riding a bike or tying their shoes allow mistakes to be made and learned from. Though they may not succeed in their first attempt, you can give them the boost of confidence they need to bounce back from setbacks, and keep on trying. Sometimes it is important to focus more on effort rather than achievement.

Through learning, children can grow, develop, and gain the necessary skills they need to succeed in life. These important learning skills contribute to students’ success and personal growth, and empowers them to take on new challenges in and out of school while building resilience and confidence. Help your children develop these learning skills and incorporate them into their daily lives. At NumberWorks’nWords, we can help build and strengthen your child's learning skills by guiding them through their academic journey. If you would like to learn more, get in touch with your local centre, or book a free assessment today.