Hot Topics     Home and Family     Healthy Kids     Early Education     K-12     Enrichment Guide    

Make your home an ideal learning environment



Support and encourage your child’s interests

Support and encourage your child’s interests


You are your child’s first teacher, and your home is your child’s first school. You spend a good bit of time every day setting the tone for behaviors, encouraging first steps, and pouncing on those teachable moments to mold your children into the happy and successful people you want them to be.

But are you missing some opportunities to support your child’s learning? Kids will thrive in a home that makes learning a priority and creates the proper balance between direct teaching and “give it a go on your own” kinds of involvement. Every child needs a different blend of the two—some children need direct instruction before they’re willing to try something new, and others are rarin’ to go without a lot of introduction.

Here are some guidelines for making your home a comfortable place to work, play and learn—a place where efforts are valued over a finished product and where it’s just fine to try and fail along the road to success.

Model a Lifestyle of Learning

My father was an avid fisherman and fishing was a family sport. We often hit the water before the sun was up and fished (and ate) all day long. I learned early on that fishing equipment was next to sacred and that I could impress my Dad with my fishing skills.

It’s like that with any sort of learning. If your kids know you think reading, or playing music, or playing chess at a high level is cool, they’ll think so too. It isn’t the subject matter that’s important, it’s the fact that children will believe learning new things is important, if you show that you believe it is.

So read some books, do some home improvement projects, learn to grow flowers, or learn a new language. Your kids will notice both the effort and the expertise, but more importantly, they’ll know that you value learning.

Provide Materials

Children need to do hands-on exploration as they learn. They enjoy molding clay and they love cutting and pasting. When out of doors, they enjoy gathering materials and building forts.

Parents don’t need to join in the creativity, but they can help the process by providing materials. Make it a habit to have a good supply of paper, pencils, markers, glue, and all the other stuff of artistic endeavors. Allow kids to use simple tools (with appropriate safety precautions) and marvel at their creations.

You might keep a supply of old clothing and props for the dramatic sessions that will take place after reading a particularly good story. Encourage kids to act out their favorite fairy tales or encourage them to write a book about their latest interest. Use their love for heroes to encourage creative extensions such as giving a play, writing a poem or singing a new song.

Expect a bit of a mess along the way. Creative processes are worth a few spills and piles of rubble.

READ MORE: 5 tips to create an at-home study space for students

Follow Their Lead

Right now, my youngest grandson is enamored with dinosaurs and volcanoes. He talks about them, knows dinosaur names, understands that volcanoes erupt and learned that one of the theories about dino demise was a large volcanic eruption back in the day. So, when he came for a visit, I made sure to have dino and volcano books ready to read and enjoy.

He spent a lot of time creating caves out of playdough for plastic dinosaur figures and re-enacting dinosaur adventures. We read the volcano books and learned to identify the cutaway parts of a volcano.

What are your children excited about right now? Do they love to plant seeds and watch them grow? Do they want to learn how to speak Spanish or how to cook a pizza? It pays to notice the things your kids are interested in and support their learning in those specific areas.

Find Programs, Classes and Other Local Learning Challenges

When you look for classes in dance, music or sports remember that at this time there are many virtual opportunities as well as face-to-face. Don’t overlook the free activities available through school or church projects, local youth programs and your local library. Let them try a variety of activities and then if they take off in drama or music, the cost of classes is well worth the price.

Be Their Cheerleader

Whatever your child enjoys doing, it is your privilege to be their cheerleader. If they love art, then make their next birthday gift an array of art materials. If they love to write, provide the paper and pencils or a keyboard. If they love to play chess, learn a few moves and play along. It’s easy to root on the sidelines of a soccer game but might require a bit of inspiration to cheer on a quieter child who enjoys reading biographies or studying insects. Find a way. It matters.

Remember, you’ll always be your child’s number one teacher. Make the most of that role and create an environment in which learning is as natural as breathing.

Jan Pierce, M.Ed is a retired teacher and reading specialist who writes about education, parenting and family life. Find Jan at www.janpierce.net.



Other articles by HVP News Reporters


  • Save a life from stroke

    Tips from the American Stroke Association

    Strokes can happen to anyone, at any age – even young people. Despite being one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability in the United States, strokes are largely preventable, treatable and beatable – if you can control your risk factors. read more »
  • Take steps now to protect your vision

    Regular eye exams are the best thing you can do

    Your quality of life and overall well-being depend on developing healthy habits. These practices are essential to your eye health. read more »
  • How women experience heart disease differently

    Symptoms are not always obvious

    Most people think of heart attacks as debilitating pain in the chest. However, that’s not always the case, especially for women, and missing the signs can be a matter of life and death. read more »
  • Serve a simple pasta salad this summer

    A quick and easy dish your family will love

    Some summertime dishes are just too good to be true. This Easy Pasta Salad is simple enough to become a favorite side and filling enough to serve as a light main course. read more »
  • Combatting Cracked Concrete

    Causes of failing concrete and how to solve them

    Concrete is a strong, durable and easy-to-maintain material that is popular for driveways, walkways, patios and more. Like most materials, though, it can inevitably wear down over time. read more »
  • A Step-By-Step Guide to Changing Your Own Oil

    It's easier than you think

    Changing your vehicle’s oil is a crucial maintenance task that can extend its life and improve performance. It’s also a task many DIYers can handle on their own with just a few tools. read more »
  • Create a Cozy Outdoor Space with a Backyard Firepit

    Time to make a warm and inviting outdoor retreat

    A firepit can serve as a warm and inviting backyard retreat, perfect for roasting marshmallows for s’mores or stargazing while wrapped in cozy blankets. read more »
  • Phones Down, Eyes Up™

    Campaign to reduce distractions and increase water safety

    May’s National Water Safety Month, the campaign aims to reduce distractions and improve water safety awareness, specifically targeting families as they head to pools and waterfronts this summer. read more »
  • Enjoy a light summer lunch

    Make broccoli the star of this dish

    Try this broccoli salad. It makes an ideal light lunch or simple summer side. read more »
  • 2025 Free Fishing Days in New York State

    No freshwater fishing license required to fish on designated days

    Governor Kathy Hochul has announced designated Free Fishing Days in New York will take place on: June 28-29, September 27 (National Hunting and Fishing Day), and November 11 (Veterans Day). During these days, the fishing license requirement is waived for freshwater fishing on New York’s waters. read more »