From music to swimming lessons, ballet to art classes, children today have their schedules packed to the brim with activities parents hope will give them a head start in life. Most parents think they have an idea of how their child learns. They therefore seize every opportunity to maximise their child's learning potential in the way they think is best. Others adopt the "let nature take its course" stance. The fact remains that people learn in different ways and at a different pace. Children are no exception.
Know Your Child's Style Of Learning
Some people learn better visually. This means they need to see what is going on in order to learn. For instance, younger kids learn primarily by observing and imitating. Children who respond best in this way need drawings, diagrams and pictures in their learning experiences.
Some children are better learners with auditory tasks that require listening. You may have seen older children who close their eyes in order to concentrate, listen and work out a response.
Tactile learners are children who learn through touch and action. This is most noticeable in very young children who learn about their world by feeling objects and exploring their environment.
Other useful ways of learning include repetition and association. As the term implies, repetition involves the repeated practicing of skills. It is important to bear in mind that there should be some basis of understanding prior to practice. Association is another aid in learning effectively. Children learn by associating one concept with another. For example, a letter of the alphabet with a word like 'A for apple', 'B for ball'.
The above are just some examples of learning styles. In general, using a variety of ways and not just one, such as visual only or repetition alone, makes learning more effective and efficient.
Know What To Do To Help Your Child Learn
Although children do learn by exploring or playing on their own, they learn more through meaningful interaction with another person. When interacting with your child, it is important to take time to observe what your child is interested in, wait to see what he will do and listen to what he is saying or trying to tell you.
Learn Together With Your Child
Parents who are busy are unable to tune in to their children's needs. Parents who do too much for their children also deprive them of opportunities to learn. These children tend to become 'spoon-fed' learners in the process. Many parents take up a teacher's role instead of being a parent.
These parents often find their child a passive, reluctant and possibly bored 'pupil'. These children who would have learned more through an enjoyable time of interaction with their parents. A supportive learning environment is provided through a balance of roles and activities. It is important to let your child know you are interested in him. You can tell him new and interesting things and ask questions to keep the interaction going. Take turns to make comments. Explore and experience new situations together.
Soon you find that you are learning more about your child and he is learning more about you. Because each child is unique in his own way as you are. It will take time, effort and patience to work out what is best for both of you. Remember that you can make the difference in helping your child learn!
Know Your Goals And Expectations
Opportunities can be lost with unclear goals and unrealistic expectations. For some parents, learning comes in the form of school grades. Others take pride in their preschoolers who can recite nursery rhymes or the alphabet, yet it remains uncertain whether the child has any understanding of what he is saying.
Parents need to know what learning constitutes and realise that it means much more than academic performance. Social learning for example, is where a child learns to observe rules and develop good relationships in life. A child who learns politeness and consideration for others grows up to be gracious. A child who returns his test papers to have marks deducted for an oversight in his teacher's marking shows not only academic knowledge but also honesty - a virtue. A parent who trains her child to keep his own toys imparts a sense of responsibility. Parents who stop to talk to their children about the different flowers and trees in the park may cultivate an interest in nature. Most importantly, learning is a lifelong process that encompasses many areas that textbooks do not, and cannot, cover.
Got this article from KKH. From this article, I'm glad to know that Keane is not as 'slow' as some people told me. In fact baby has began cruising around 9 months with the help of furniture. And he's walking now, though not very confidently. I did not buy baby walker for Keane too as good friend Julia had told me about its cons when I was pregnant. I have to constantly remind myself that all babies develop at their own pace and I must not get too worried or upset by others' comments.
When Will My Baby Start Walking?
Babies develop at their own pace.
Typically, they start cruising (holding onto furniture to walk sideways) from 8 - 12 months old, and start walking from 10 - 15 months.
These ranges provide a guideline to baby's development. However, if your baby is delayed in achieving these basic motor milestones, consult your paediatrician or physiotherapist for advice.
How Does My Baby Learn To Walk?
Walking is controlled by the 2 different systems in the brain, known as the motor and sensory systems. They control the leg movements, and maintain the posture and balance in walking respectively.
Your baby's body then awaits basic changes in body proportion - the legs grow longer, shoulders broaden, and the head smaller - making it easier to balance in an upright posture.
Walking depends on practice. Babies must clock many hours of standing, cruising and walking with some type of support before they can develop the strength and balance to walk on their own.
Should My Baby Use A Walker? No.
A walker does not help your baby to learn to walk. It is dangerous and potentially fatal. In fact, Canada has already banned the sale of baby walkers.
How Is The Baby Walker More A Weapon Than A Tool?
Danger 1: Baby walkers cause babies to walk later
Baby walkers don't help babies walk earlier. In fact, walkers may even delay your baby's movement skill development or discourage him from learning to walk on his own.
Most walkers are designed such that babies are not able to see their feet while walking. This can slow down development of movement as they are unable to make mental connection that it is their legs and feet that are moving the walker.
Walkers make it too easy for babies to move around. Babies who are in walkers tend to explore and satisfy their curiosity without developing their balance or walking skills. This may lead to slower development of balance and walking skills. Studies have shown that babies who spent 2 hours each day in the walker were more delayed in walking than babies who did not use a walker.
Danger 2: Baby walkers cause abnormal walking pattern
The baby's legs are not straight when "walking" in the walker. The hips and knees are bent and he will tend to walk on tiptoe. This causes him to use and develop the wrong leg muscles for walking. Such abnormal walking pattern may be difficult to correct even when he is out of the walker.
Studies have shown that walking pattern of babies worsen with the use of walkers especially if they are already walking in an abnormal way.
Danger 3: Baby walkers can cause serious injuries
Walkers are unsafe. Babies can reach a speed of 1 meter per second in a walker, which is too fast even for an attentive parent to catch should the child speed towards an open door, down the stairs or towards a boiling pot.
So How Can I Encourage My Baby To Learn To Walk?
Discard the walker
Use a playpen or play-centre that is stationary. Alternatively, allow a safe, unrestricted floor space for exploration.
Help your baby exercise his muscles e.g. supported standing or cruising.
Provide sensory stimulation e.g. baby massage.
Provide vestibluar stimulation e.g. rocking, bouncing or swing baby.
Breast-feeding may help to strengthen baby's muscles.
What If My Child Has An Abnormal Walking Pattern?
Consult your doctor if you notice that your child is walking on his toes or on the sides of the feet.
