Parents often say to me “it is easy for you, you are clever”. They look at me now and see a top class graduate from Cambridge, a successful scientist, inspiring teacher and enthusiastic entrepreneur. I obviously wasn’t born this way. I had to work very hard for these things. Looking back at my academic career, I now realise the secret that drove and inspired me to achieve my goals in life is my undeniable love of learning.
Most students have equal opportunities when they start their education in the UK. They go to school, study the national curriculum and sit the same GCSE and A-Level exams. However, even within the same class, some students naturally do better than others. Some people argue that it is primarily genetic factors that affect how students perform in exams and that nothing much can be changed about this fact. I strongly disagree!
All children are born curious and absorb knowledge like sponges in their early stages of development. They are so eager to learn about the world around them. Everything fascinates them. So what changes as they get older? Where does that passion for learning disappear to?
There isn’t a simple answer to these questions but, as children grow older, the studying gets more complex, requiring more time and effort. Tests and exams become higher stake and, although they understand that by studying harder they will get to a good university, that motivational award is too far down the line to inspire some children.
So what can be done? I think the answer lies in cultivating the love of learning from a young age. The fact is that students who truly enjoy learning tend to do better in their exams and tests, which is summarised in the following simple positive-feedback mechanism:
Overall, students who love learning tend to study longer hours, retain information better and as a result outperform their class peers who don’t enjoy learning. Their academic success motivates them further to study even more, resulting in a positive feedback loop.
Every child is unique and as a parent you know your child best, but I wanted to share some ideas and tips to help you develop this love of learning in your children:
1. Expose your children to a variety of academic experiences
Quite often as adults, we already have solidified interests and set hobbies. However, it is so important to expose your children to a variety of academic experiences, which are beyond your own passions. For example, if you love art galleries, make sure to take your children there, but also to science and history museums. Let them develop their own interests.
2. Share your passions
Why not also share what fascinates you in this world with your children? Is it Impressionism, Geology, Ancient Greece? Whatever it may be, your children may not learn about these topics in schools. They will see that you are passionate about a certain topic and this will motivate them to develop their own academic interests and encourage their love of learning.
3. Encourage reading books set in different settings
In our modern world full of technology, children hardly read any books. It is therefore essential to develop reading as a habit from a young age. Reading in turn naturally creates a love of learning. Furthermore, encourage your children to read books of different genre and settings, including different countries, backgrounds and cultures. Authors put a lot of work into researching their settings. Imagine a fiction book set in Ancient Greece or Egypt. This a double win - a lesson in history and developing love of learning.
4. Have a role model for a career
How do children decide what career to pick? They observe people around them and then pick a role model who they aspire to be. Once again, it is important to provide plenty of opportunities for your children to learn about these role models and their academic path that led them to their careers. It is always easier to imagine your future job if you know other people doing it. By this time, your children should know and have narrowed down their academic interests. By wanting a certain career, it naturally should develop aspiration and love of learning.
In summary, the sooner children develop their love of learning, the more enjoyable their academic work will be and allow them to have the best career opportunities in their future. If you are looking for advice in developing academic interests and career aspirations in your children, then please get in touch with us.
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