After decades of teaching music and math, and working with hundreds of families, I noticed something surprising.The parents who worried the most about their children were usually the ones doing far more right than they realized. I also noticed something else: when parents feel calmer and more confident, children learn better.
Over the years, I have developed a philosophy about kids and how they learn, it can be broken down into 3 tenants:
Kids are designed to learn - Curiosity is built into children and their default is to explore the world and learn (albeit sometimes in annoying ways!)
Pressure interrupts curiosity - When learning becomes about performance and comparison, many kids shut down and the learning stops.
Confidence brings curiosity back - When kids feel safe enough to try, curiosity and excitement - and learning - return.
PlayEdVenture is where I share what years of working with kids and their parents has taught me about learning, curiosity, and confidence. My hope is I will be able to help parents feel less overwhelmed so they can create the conditions where children discover (or rediscover) confidence and curiosity in learning, no matter their age. I hope you will join me here!
-Karen Lynn