How older children and teenagers learn
Older children and teenagers learn in all the same ways as younger children do – by observing, listening, exploring, experimenting and asking questions.
Being interested, motivated and engaged in learning is important for children once they start school. It’s good if they understand why they’re learning something.
Your older child will also enjoy learning when he gets to be involved in making decisions and organising activities.
Helping your child learn: general tips
In general, you can help your child learn by:
- responding to her efforts and invitations as she plays and learns
- encouraging her to try new things, to make mistakes and to learn about who she is through new experiences
- taking turns in games and activities
- playing rhyming games, letter games, and shape and number games together
- using simple language and ‘playing’ with words and word meanings, such as clapping out the syllalbles of words or playing word association games
- continuing to read to your child even when she can read for herself
- exposing her to new words in books, on TV or in general conversation, and explaining what the words mean
- watching news bulletins together and talking about what’s happening
- limiting distractions – for example, turning off the TV while she draws at the table
- not overloading her with information – for example, giving a simple explanation that covers the main points, rather than a longwinded one. If your child asks for more information, you can give her the details she needs. Some children are more curious than others and might be able to take in more detailed information
- helping her discover what she’s good at by trying lots of different activities
- showing an interest in her activities – for example, if she enjoys playing the drums, ask her about the music she plays and get her to do a show for you
- establishing a routine of learning and good homework practice after school – for example, have your child do her homework at about the same time each day and in a particular area, away from distractions
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building a good relationship with your child’s school and teacher, and communicating regularly about your child’s progress academically, socially and behaviourally.
You might think you don’t know much about learning and teaching – and you might have had bad experiences at school yourself. But you’re your child’s first teacher, and your child will keep learning from you over the years.
Helping your young school-age child to learn
Children learn in different ways – some learn by seeing, some by hearing, some by reading, some by doing. When you give your child opportunities to learn in different ways, you can both work out which way he learns best. Once you know how he learns best, you can use this to help him with other areas of learning. For example, if he appears to learn best by seeing and doing, but needs to write a story for school, he might be able to make a comic strip story to help him organise his ideas.
Children use objects in lots of different ways. When your child experiments, explores and creates with a range of materials, she learns about problem-solving in situations where there are no set or ‘right’ answers. You can read more about school-age creative development.
Your child doesn’t need the latest expensive toys to learn, play and have fun. For example, a simple game of ‘hide and seek’ doesn’t need any props and is a great learning opportunity. You can learn more about the types of toys, games and books appropriate for your child’s age.
Children aren’t born with social skills – they have to learn them, just like they learn to read and write. Giving your child chances to play with other children is a great way for him to develop the skills he needs to get on with others. These don’t even have to be organised plays or visits. For example, taking your child to the park helps him to learn how to interact with and share a common space with other kids.
Linking your child into the local community is also a valuable learning experience. For example, visiting the local shops, parks, playgrounds and libraries or walking in the areas around your home helps your child understand how communities work.
If your family speaks a language other than English at home, it can be a great way for your child to grow up as a bilingual learner. Research shows that although learning two or more languages can be challenging and complex for children, it doesn’t harm or hold back their development. In fact, it might even help develop important mental skills and could lead to great opportunities later in life. You might like to read more in our article on speaking two languages at home.
Helping your older school-age child learn
As your child grows, she’ll become more and more independent. It might seem that she wants you to have less input into her learning, but she does still need your support and encouragement, just in different ways.
Your child needs you to:
- trust his judgment – for example, if he thinks he’s ready to play a contact sport, let him try it
- consider his point of view – for example, if he doesn’t want to continue with an activity, let him end it and look at other options
- sense when he’s upset – for example, if he’s struggling with a task, ask him how it’s going
- accept him as a person – this could mean appreciating that he’s strong in some areas and not so strong in others
- respond to his feelings – for example, share his excitement when he masters something new, and be supportive when he doesn’t
- understand what he’s going through – you could try thinking back to your own learning experiences, both the enjoyable ones and the challenging ones
- have a good relationship and communicate with his teacher. For example, if your child seems to be struggling with one area of schooling, talk to his teacher to see if there is anything you can do at home to support and encourage him
- be there to actively listen
- build a good relationship and communicate with his teacher. For example, if your child seems to be struggling with one area of schooling, talk to his teacher to see if there’s anything you can do at home to support and encourage him.
