How to explain the importance of education to a child?
Going to school is an integral part of growing up to become a responsible individual and it is important that children take their education seriously from early childhood. The fact that learning is necessary for success is surely clear to every parent, but how do you explain the importance of education to a child?
Clearly demonstrating the impact of knowledge on the child’s everyday life and their wellbeing constitutes an excellent approach. Children view studying as an obligation that takes away time that could be spent having fun. In all truth, if the child does not realize the importance of gaining knowledge and developing personal skills, academic achievement cannot be reasonably expected.
This is why it is crucial that the child should understand the purpose of education, along with all the benefits it brings from early childhood. To achieve the desired effect, one should approach this topic in a convincing and, above all, sincere way.
Great ways to explain the purpose of education to children
Explaining the importance of education can be quite a challenge, especially when the children encounter serious expectations for the first time. It should be immediately clear that we are speaking about a long-term process. There are no shortcuts when it comes to education, and this includes the process of explaining its importance.
To approach this topic in the right way, parents can use some excellent methods that can help them reach their children:
Lead by example
While growing up, children primarily look up to their parents and other family members. In order to be able to direct the child towards the desired behavior with any authority, they must behave in the desired way themselves. Coming up with shared activities from the early ways constitutes an excellent way for the child to understand that knowledge adoption is something very useful and “cool”. Although this might sound as if the parent were supposed to start college (again), the point is, in fact, in the little things:
- Reading books – Growing up in a home where everyone is reading books instead of looking at screens contributes to the sense of importance of acquiring new knowledge. The focus is placed on togetherness, the culture of reading and discovering new information about the world around us.
- Shared activities – Through doing things with their parents, children will learn about the importance of knowledge and critical thinking. They will have direct insight into how adults process different kinds of information and put what they have learned into practice. This can mean simple projects like assembling furniture, quiz games or caring about the environment. The important thing for the child to realize is that the parents possess certain knowledge that they acquired at school, and which they are currently implementing into their everyday life. Of course there will be mistakes – but they are also important lessons, where the child can see that nobody is perfect and that mistakes are a part of learning.
- Learning new skills – It seems that the importance of lifelong learning cannot be overstated. This is why it is very important that the child should see that people they respect keep learning new things. Someone might choose to learn to dance, swim, or pursue a college diploma (if they have not acquired it the first time around). These are processes where the child can see that effort is the way toward realizing personal ambitions, which will help them understand one of the important functions of education.
These are just some of the examples how grownups can lead by example when showing their children that education is important. Such examples are more powerful than any words.
Knowledge is the path towards success
Success and realization of personal wishes are very motivating, but clear goals often begin to emerge no earlier than high school. This is why connecting education with the success of the persons the children look up to is an excellent method. This does not even have to be a real person such as a singer or a sportsperson – even a superhero had to learn a lot in order to be successful.
As they are growing up, their role models will be persons whose success they would like to achieve. For students interested in information technology and other technological achievements, this can be someone like Jeff Bezos or Elon Musk, whose journey and education can be incredibly inspiring to them. Regardless of the area of interest, there will always be positive examples of people who fulfilled their dreams thanks to their knowledge.
Be honest, don’t sugarcoat it
How to explain the importance of education to a child, without mentioning the challenges that are an integral part of this journey? It is very important to be sincere every step of the way, because there is no shortcut to success – just the main road, not without thorns. The journey is just as important as the goal, as it brings both positive and negative experiences that shape and advance the person.
This is why it is important to be frank and present the challenges that are an integral part of the process. It will make it easier for the child to face difficulties, as they will know that they are just bumps on the road towards the desired goal. Finding the solution will be less stressful, as they will know that it is fine to make mistakes and that there is no achievement without effort.
Another important aspect of this honest approach is gaining trust in persons of authority. Early on, these persons are parents; later – school teachers, college professors, supervisors at work. The message is clear – instead of hiding the problems, it is fine to ask for advice and help.
Education is the foundation of a successful life
There are countless education programs, a number of learning styles, learning environments, all with the same goal – acquiring knowledge and skills for a successful life. Therefore, it can be irrelevant whether someone will go to a classic classroom or attend class via online learning, or even which of the degree programs they will decide upon. Investment in knowledge is simply the surest path to success, and when the student realizes that, any challenge will become so much easier.
