Interest-Based Learning
If you want to make learning more interesting for the kids, start by thinking about their personal interests. Personalizing their education journey to fit their specific likes and preferences is a great way to shake them up.
So, make a short list of the things they like and use these in practice. For instance, if a boy is especially fond of basketball, you can assign them to:
do basketball-themed math exercises
write an essay about their favorite basketball player
explore basketball in different countries
read biographies of famous players and coaches
You can teach anything from Physics to Arts and Crafts using educational activities based on the kid’s interests.
source: Pexels
Hands-On Learning
Next up is a great teaching and learning strategy called hands-on since it involves the active participation of everyone involved. Typically, the hands-on method will require the child to:
perform an experiment
create a project
work in a team
make decisions
solve problems
engage in practical tasks
It means the kids will get their hands busy, dirty, or active in any sense. This method is suitable for children of different learning styles since it combines all of them and allows the children to work on their own terms.
Hands-on learning will help the kids be more interested in participating while also helping them retain their knowledge and develop long-lasting skills.
Role Models
All kids have heroes, and you can use this to make them interested in learning. Role models can be found in education as well, all you have to do is look for the right people.
This works great for kids because they would love to hear someone other than their teacher or parents presenting school materials or talking about any education-related subject matter. To make this work, you need to:
find people with interesting life stories, achievements, and occupations
invite scientists, sportsmen, authors, or renowned community members to visit the class
Let’s say you invite a local author to share the story of how they started to write, found inspiration, had their first book published or sold, and other similar details. The kids would certainly find a new perspective on writing and maybe even visit WritingUniverse.com for writing inspiration.
You can even have the kids do interviews or Q&As with the guests to maximize the experience.
source: Pexels
Outdoor Activities
Stepping outside of the classroom or home study area can work wonders for kids’ attention and overall interest in the subject matter. They would enjoy a change of pace and leaving the typical classroom experience behind.
79% of teachers say their students’ engagement is excellent when being outside. Outdoor activities are, thus, brilliant for kids’ interest in education.
There are tons of different ways to educate kids while spending time outside. Here are some of the most popular and effective suggestions:
visiting farms to learn about animals and animal care, biology, or agriculture
going to a botanical garden to learn about horticulture, plants, and ecology
hiking for nature observation
going to the beach to learn about marine life or the coastal ecosystem
outdoor art activities using natural materials found outside
You can get creative and think of a number of different ways to get the kids involved in outdoor activities while learning about the subject matter you choose. It's fun, diverse, exciting, and thus extremely beneficial for the kids.
source: Pexels
Competitive Games
Finally, if you haven’t tried gamification to boost the kids’ interest in education, you have to do it. Kids love competing and having some sort of goal to achieve. They love the adrenalin, the excitement, and the anticipation of the entire experience.
Gamification can be used as a group activity in a class full of kids or as an individual activity for learning at home. The important thing is they play and have fun as they learn.
The most exciting forms of gamified learning include:
quizzes
role-playing games
educational apps
challenges and earning points
VR simulations
team competitions
Turn the class materials into quiz questions or set up a challenge for the kids to try and achieve. They’ll be motivated, engaged, and more interested in learning than ever.
source: Pexels
Final Thoughts
Who says learning can't be fun? Kids just need a bit of creativity and motivation to get fully interested and engaged in their education. It’s our job to explore and try out different approaches to see which one works the best.
We’ve given you 5 super-exciting ways to spark kids’ interest in education. Start applying them ASAP to give your kids the best education experience possible.
Author’s Bio
Olivia Evans is an education expert and a blogger. She focuses on unconventional teaching methods and writes for teachers, students, and parents. Her goal is to help people embrace their education with excitement and motivation.
Leave a comment