Parenting Self-Learners

How can parents help their children realize their fullest potential? Raise children so that they become self-learners.

I read about a talk presented by Dr. Melissa Lopez Reyes (I think she's the sister of Marty Lopez), a cognitive and education specialist, during the Kumon Philippines' Education and Parenting Seminar.

A lot of parents think that if we provide our children with a good school and fantastic teachers, then our task is done. Far from it. We still need to actively develop a "self-learner."

Does your child like to figure things out for herself?
Or does she freeze or stop, not knowing what to do next after she's stumped?

According to Dr. Reyes, "self-learning" is not in-born. Rather, it is learned within an environment steeped in parental support.

How To Make Your Child A Self-Learner

Encourage your children to try things on their own, and to figure things out by themselves.

Sometimes, in our mad rush to save time, some of us well-meaning parents simply blurt out the answers. Can you imagine what an investment of your own time will do for your child if, instead of simply giving the solutions, you patiently ask them: "What do YOU think?"

In short, demand from your children that they exercise their minds. Give them the chance to show some sense of intellectual autonomy. But please, try to avoid sounding like some scary lawyer. ;-)

You will need to engage them and somehow find a way to pique their curiosity. Get them excited about solving things on their own.

In Tagalog or Filipino: Bigyan po ninyo sila ng pagkakataong dumiskarte.

Anyway, if you're interested in the next Kumon Philippines Education and Parenting Seminar (which will be held on 24 July 2010 at SM City Pampanga, at on 28 August 2010 at SM Cebu), then please pre-register at http://ph.kumonglobal.com or call +63.2 855 0226. Yes, admission is free.

Here's to your success in parenting, and may your children become highly engaged self-learners! :-)

[ First posted on 07/05/2010 by Manuel Viloria ]