Love Will Find A Way

By Dr. Joanne Foster

A love of learning enriches the mind.

But…

Learning to love enhances the spirit and energizes the soul.

I’ve written elsewhere about early learning, including important considerations for parents and teachers, mitigating factors, developmental issues, strategies, and more. Here, however, I focus on learning to love—and, in particular, helping children learn to love what really matters for their well-being and happy productivity.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE?

“...somewhere in my secret heart, I know love will find a way.” ~ Jack A. Feldman/Tom Snow (from The Lion King 2)

Ask little ones, “What do you love?” and their answers may or may not surprise you. For example, responses might go like this: I love my parents (grandparents, family members, and friends); I love to play (hockey, or video games, or Beyblades(tm)); I love ice cream (or cheesy macaroni, or pizza, or cookies); I love my doll (or truck, or teddy bear, or Lego); I love to swim (or dance, or bake, or sing); I love to go to the park (or store, or zoo, or beach); I love to watch television (or movies, or see my friends online); I love my dog (or cat, or hamster); or I love my house (or bedroom, or backyard).

Dig a bit deeper (somewhere in their “secret heart”), and a child might reveal that they love quiet or excitement; specific times of the year; arts and crafts; bubble baths; wearing bright colors or funny hats; building structures; certain sports; knock-knock jokes; pajama days; or particular ways of doing things that make them happy. These examples require engagement, and thus children acquire experiential learning—which is integral to their personal growth. (Click here for more on that.) It’s great that children love some or all of these things, and more!

However, what additional experiences should parents encourage? What else might benefit children’s development—including their resourcefulness, resilience, and resolve? Learning to love to do things has many advantages—and there are lots of possibilities parents can consider in order to foster children’s participation, creativity, collaboration, and initiative.

In addition to supporting what children already love, here are practical ideas to help little ones become more proactive, to pursue their interests, to find new learning opportunities and fulfilling experiences, and to then follow those to their heart’s content.

LOVE OF INQUIRY

“I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.” “The Important thing is not to stop questioning.”

~ Albert Einstein

Inquiry spurs the development of intelligence and creativity. It reinforces curiosity, ignites the imagination, and motivates learning! Inquiry directs children to meaningful answers, and it has the potential to fire up the sort of passion that will drive kids’ efforts and accomplishments. Parents can nest young children’s’ questions within a responsive and welcoming milieu by listening closely, paying attention to their viewpoints, allaying concerns, and offering reassurance. (See Responding to Children’s Questions During the COVID-19 Pandemic.)

LOVE OF BOOKS

“Books can nurture, inform, stimulate, and soothe. They can be used as a basis for sharing, thinking, learning, dreaming, inspiring, and exploring.”

~ from Being Smart about Gifted Education, p. 118.

Children who learn to love books are at an advantage. Reading helps stimulate and expand interests and understandings. It promotes reflection and self-directed learning, and it can also be a well-spring for relaxation and joy. There are books on countless subjects at the ready to challenge young readers’ vocabularies and minds and, if need be, help them come to terms with challenging situations, behaviors, or attitudes. (See Cultivate a Love of Reading.)

LOVE OF CONNECTIVITY

“Children benefit from connectivity that is attuned to their particular needs, and that is supportive of their particular challenges.”

~ from ABCs of Raising Smarter Kids, p. 55.

At a time when physical distancing is the norm and hugging is not as prevalent (except among the “bubbled”), it’s really important to encourage children to “embrace” family, neighborhood, and broader community networks for social opportunities and emotional support. Connections strengthen relationships, and through these, children learn the power of give and take—including how to offer and receive encouragement, kindness, friendship, and solace—and how to communicate, listen and cooperate. In our increasingly technological global society, children who learn to reach out, and to touch, feel, and see anew, stretch their horizons. (See Why Community Matters for Children AND Adults.)

LOVE OF NATURE

“In all things of nature, there is something of the marvelous.”

~ Aristotle

Positive aspects of time spent enjoying nature include (but are not limited to) stress reduction, greater environmental awareness, exercise, and physical activity, outdoor play, and an appreciation of plants and wildlife. Kids can extend their experiences by journaling, taking photos, scrapbooking, writing stories, drawing, or planning more excursions. They can walk, run, chase chipmunks, watch birds, smell flowers, examine cloud formations, and skip rocks. There are endless learning opportunities as children gain respect for our planet and realize how all living things are connected. (See The Nature of Creativity: Calling All Children! and also Benefits of Nature for Children and Families.)

LAST WORDS

“Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.”

~ Thomas Huxley

That is a quote that young children can grasp. Help children appreciate that learning—and learning to love learning—can spark exciting adventures and a lifelong quest for knowledge, pleasure, and well-being. Fortunately, there are no limits to the loving of inquiry, books, connectivity, or nature—plus they can be enjoyed with others, at any time from infancy onward. That’s the power of love!

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

See the First Time Parent Magazine articles Early Learning Essentials – September 2019 and Learning: What Do Parents Need to Know? – November 2019. (Available in-app.)

For information about Dr. Joanne Foster and her award-winning books— (including ABCs of Raising Smarter Kids)—and for access to many articles and timely resources on children’s well-being, creativity, intelligence, productivity, and learning—go to www.joannefoster.ca

#care #gratitude #life #love