When a child learns most willingly and why then

As adults, we think more and more often about how to make our children willing to learn and want to learn new skills. Because for decades we have been believed and, in a way, instilled in us that children learn most effectively when induced and disciplined to do so, we often fall into the trap of drilling and coercing them ourselves. Meanwhile, we slowly notice that our methods do not work at all. Children are increasingly discouraged from learning, bored and tired. It is difficult to see in them the need to reach for books on their own, unless it is related to the need to do homework or to prepare for lessons. When a child learns most willingly and why then.

Why don't the kids want to learn?

There are several reasons for this. The key here, however, is the constant pressure of adults. Unfortunately, external pressure does not work as we would like it to - long term. You can force a child to do so by means of rewards or punishments

Learning and achieving good academic results. For fear of reprimand, criticism, and social rejection, it will eventually give in to what we demand and adapt to our expectations or the expectations of other adults. However, in the long run, learning will lose its value for him and it will become less and less pleasant area of ‹‹everyday life. Gradually, difficulties with remembering new content, with concentration, with motivation, and even with sleep, nutrition, emotions, psyche and health may increase. This whole mechanism is no coincidence. It has a solid scientific and neurobiological justification.

What does research say

In the brain of a child, which is still obliged to learn in a way that causes chronic stress, there are numerous processes that block it, including:

• Ability to concentrate,
• Ability to see cause and effect relationships,
• The possibility of permanent and effective memorization,
• Willingness to undertake new activities and challenges.

This is because the pressure coming from the outside, regardless of its form and intensity, helps to stop the production of dopamine and endogenous opioids in the child's brain (responsible, among others, for a good mood). Dopamine is one of the most important semiochemicals enabling a young person to learn and remember. Scientists call it a substance of curiosity and exploratory behavior for a reason. There is no effective learning without dopamine. The lack of this substance quenches the child's inner need to experience, explore, learn new things and generally be enthusiastic about various tasks, jobs and activities.

When does the child want to study?

That's when dopamine is released in his brain. When the secretion of this important semiochemical substance is specifically unblocked. The process of effective learning can only take place when the child feels an inner need to take specific action, when he wants to know something, analyze, understand and use new knowledge in practice. A child learns and remembers effectively when an internal motivation system that has nothing to do with shouting, threats, requests or rewards is activated in him.

Let's take care of the right conditions

Thanks to new methods of imaging the work of the brain, we know that it is not an extra medullary organ, which means that neither parents nor teachers will shape the child according to their wishes. So let's take a look at what strengthens the inner motivation of a young explorer to learn and how his brain learns. The following are extremely important here:

1. A sense of security, a good relationship

The child (and his brain) best finds himself in an atmosphere of understanding and peace. The constantly raised tone of voice, negative attitude towards the young person and lack of communication will destroy what we fight for so much every day: the true willingness of children to acquire knowledge and new skills.

Research shows that children thrive and learn best when they are surrounded by an aura of understanding, acceptance, conversation, and calm and nonviolent communication. "They most willingly follow and cooperate with adults who respect and trust them."

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Take this into account and start talking to your children in such a way that they really want to listen. Instead of threatening with bad grades, anger and frustration, a better solution is to immerse yourself in your child's world and accompany them empathetically in their studies. The usual, calm conversation about the emotions and feelings of the child, his school and extracurricular experiences and dilemmas, or the time spent together after school brings much more good than the constant "do your homework", "start to learn" or "stop lazy and get to work ".

2. Movement and free physical activity

A child (and his brain) is unable to function productively when forced to sit in school and preschool walls for up to eight hours a day, and then two more at a desk at home (while doing homework). It is worth remembering that daily physical activity (preferably uncontrolled) and contact with nature allow children to reduce stress levels, increase their memory efficiency, and improve concentration and emotional stability.

3. Possibility of making mistakes

The brain learns by making mistakes. This is because the child's brain activates the so-called a reward system that naturally motivates them to do the same thing correctly in the future. It can be said that the brain then begins to focus on finding new solutions to ultimately perform a given task well. Making mistakes is a kind of positive reinforcement. However, if the child is not allowed to do so, his brain does not activate the area responsible for finding new ways of coping with problems and his productivity decreases. So punishing for mistakes is nonsense in itself. It is worth constantly reminding yourself that mistakes are important and supporting children in finding new solutions.

4. Learning by doing and having fun

Children learn the fastest when they experience something, not when someone tries to put something into their head.

In schools and kindergartens, children are increasingly noticed a complete lack of willingness to learn and learn new content. This is because children are prevented from learning in the form that is closest to them, which comes easiest to them and, according to the researchers, is the most effective. Learning by experimenting, checking, analyzing, drawing conclusions. For children to understand a new topic, they need to discover its meaning and try it out for themselves. Associate theory with practice and - what is important - with joyful emotions and enthusiasm associated with discovering new matter.

5. Interest in the topic

Children learn quickly what interests them or what interests them. The task of adults is to make them interested in the subject in such a way that they want to explore it as a result. Therefore, it is not what we are talking about, but how.

Babies and their brains like:

• News - it is worth talking about the topic in a new, fresh style or presenting it in a different way,
• Surprising information - weaving something completely unexpected into a monotonous topic or material is always very popular,
• Storytelling - it is the stories that move a person the most, not isolated facts; it is worth focusing on the stories and stimulating the imagination of children,
• information about other people - because a person is a social being, information about other people and their stories arouses the greatest interest in him and remains in his memory for a long time.

6. Leisure

In order to properly deal with information processing, remembering, concentrating and selecting knowledge, the child's brain needs regeneration, and his whole body needs rest. The right amount of sleep and relaxation for children is as important (or even more so) as it is for us adults. Lack of time to rest disrupts the processes of learning and remembering, and as a result, young people have more and more difficulties in learning, they feel more and more tired and frustrated. It is worth bearing in mind their basic need for relaxation in a highly stimulated and constantly changing world.

Remember - external pressure, constant criticism, lack of support, fatigue or long-term stress extinguish the active and effective work of the brain and deprive children of their innate ability and willingness to explore and learn the world. It is only up to us, the parents, what kind of learning space we create for our children. And whether, despite the often difficult school or preschool conditions, we will manage to build a relationship with children that will strengthen their self-esteem and willingness to take on new challenges.