How would you define “Good learning environment” as parents?
How would you know this school/classroom is good for your child?
Of course, we all have different expectations.
Now let’s see, I gathered some good learning environment that our kids should receive in their classrooms.
- A good learning environment must encourage questions.
Please, do not get annoyed when a child asked some questions. It’s a good learning process and build up their confidence. Of course, all those questions must come from your own curiosity, not from classroom instruction or what I call “a forced learning”.
But how can I encourage them to ask questions?
Very easy…. LET THEM EXPLORE MORE!
Just let them touch, smell, and look at different things because they will lead to different emotions like scared, fun, happy, and curious. Be patient! They might not ask questions at the first time, so just let them exploring.
2. When questions raised, they must be answered.
Always remember that “Answers are as important as questions”, but how can us “parents” give the children good answers?
There’s no the best recipe to answer this, but there are few things to help you create good answers….
- A good answer should lead to a clear explanation. It can based on facts, theory, or imagination (the last part I like the most).
- A good answer should lead to second question. This means your child is thinking! That’s brilliant!
- A good answer should lead to exploration like an experiment, a test, or a change.
Tips: Let your children try these activities. They encourage a good Q&A
Color mixing, sink and float experiment, creating exploration bottle, or potato maze.
Most of science activities will encourage Q&A
3. A good learning environment should lead to exploration to different sources of idea.
Sometimes parents put their child into a box without realizing they are doing it. Let them explore different activities, such as art, science, sport, music, and social gathering. These activities will create a learning and thinking habit, and of course a few time these activities give your child ideas that contrast with each other.
Now it’s time for them to choose which idea/activity they prefer.
4. When an exploration begins, there must be some tools given to create a good learning.
Tools here not only mean equipment, but it can refer to “method of teaching”. Some of methods I like to use with my Scrambled Art fellows are….
- Scenario based learning is a good way for kids to ask questions like “What if…?”
- Project based learning. It’s an effective learning method for them to conduct process learning in their mind, and plan their work by themselves.
- Group based learning is the best way for them to learn how to share.
Of course, not all classes can provide these methods at once, and some parents want to focus one thing more than the others depends on what suitable to your child.
5. Sometimes you can find a good learning environment outside the classroom. (This one is my favorite).
Classroom can be boring for kids and limit space for them to learn. My advise is to take them out and let the nature teach them. You will be amazed of how much they will experience. Let them touch, smell, climb, and jump around!
What I like about outdoor learning is that there are so much to learn and a lot of things kids cannot get from the books. It also helps you and your child to reconnect and spend some quality time together.
This is just some main ideas that I like, but please share your ideas with us. Maybe yours are better than mine.
Photo credit:
http://kenbridgeumc.org/
http://ronntorossian.com/
http://sbrownehr.com/
wakefield art