Life, at times, can be termed as synonymous to changes and challenges. However, these deviations and problems can only be dealt with efficacy by learning the required skills set.
Hence, learning needs to be continuous as it’s a constant process. This has been further authenticated through one of the sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May peace be upon him), “Seek knowledge from cradle to birth.”
Surah Alaq’s verse 3 from Holy Quran further testifies; “Read (Proclaim!), and your Lord is the most Generous (Verse 3; Surah Alaq).” Unfortunately, learning and specifically enhancing one’s skills set is on the lowest priority of our society at large.
How can a nation with more than 200 million population afford to be on low of the list of the nations when it comes to human development? However, the indicators present a grim picture.
Pakistan stood at 152 in a total of 189 countries in the human development index of UNDP for the year 2019. Such a low position portrays a dismal state of affairs of not a promising future for citizens in the longer run. The results at the same time require from each of us to invest in our children in terms of our time and efforts to inculcate the spirit of learning, so that it remains a life-long pursuit to lead to multiple choices and opportunities.
The initial shyness to learn is surfacing in the form of alarming drop-out rates at the initial years of a child’s learning and schooling. According to a report of 2017, the school dropout rate in the country stood at 33 percent at the primary level.
We, as citizens cannot blame the public and private entities for such a huge dropout rate. Serious efforts at all levels can bring in the desired change. Let each one of us be the agents of change in this perspective.
As a formative strategy, the first step is to encourage the child to explore topics and subjects that fascinate him or her instead of making him fall victim to grade. If a child likes to know about cars and dinosaurs, facilitate and engage the child in learning first about cars and dinosaurs. Then, challenge the child to list down the first five books on dinosaurs and cars and make the child explain why the first five were selected to initiate the process of inquiry, logic, self-discovery and to know thyself.
I really believe that we shall encourage the children to express his opinion that would lead to an open atmosphere to express ones’ likes, feelings and even concerns. When a child shares his opinion, ensure, as a listener, that you validate the opinion even if you do not agree. When we disagree as a response to a child’s opinion, they feel stuck out and it further leads to disengagement from the learning process.
Even the academic references also validate that learning is encouraged when you value the child’s opinion as it stimulates the young mind to be reassured that their opinion matters without being judged, put down, ignored or discouraged.
It is good to guide and allow the child to choose which will further give a sense of respect and importance to the choice of their learning to get more engaged and motivated towards the process of learning beyond the curriculum. As the child gets more engaged and becomes interested in the process of learning, it becomes a pursuit of fun and happiness.
As a care giver, when there is a sharp increase in the process of learning, it is high time to assess the child’s learning styles and preferences. It could be more than one. There is no one right and wrong learning style. It could be a mix of many learning styles and it is a healthy indication in the process of learning.
It could be auditory, visual, verbal, physical, social, solitary and logical. For young children, it is beneficial to explore and employ different styles of learning. It will help to take every opportunity without being overborne and overwhelmed to discover new avenues with children in a fun-filled way.
As the child expresses his joy and excitement towards anything new, he will automatically share the enthusiasm by reciprocating his knowledge towards other things as well. It is important to note what the child learns and how well the child performs is not significant in early years of schooling.
One must remember that the learning experience and exposure is vital because it will provide the avenue for the child to put his own words to the lesson and solidify what the child has learnt.
Also Read: Social Behaviours and Instinct
