Study time has never been something children look forward to. Often kids associate studying with anything but fun and tend to find it boring. But that may be because traditional teaching and learning methods were such. Getting a child to sit down and stare at books till they get exhausted would get boring for anyone. And to top it off, this is not the most efficient study method either. Suppose you are only trying to memorise without getting the hang of the concept or its application in real-life scenarios. In that case, chances are you won’t be able to retain too much.
It is one of the reasons children are being taught using innovative methods like inquiry-based learning in some of the best international primary schools in Singapore. The best thing is that studying does not have to be boring; some affordable international schools in Singapore are getting rid of the myth that engaging and holistic education can only be attained when you shell out copious amounts of money. They are making studying more interactive and fun so children can retain information longer.
By eliminating the old studying routine and using these exciting ways to make studying fun for kids, primary school keep your kids captivated and ignite their enthusiasm for learning. Start by not forcing your kids to study and use these tips to make study time fun for children.
1. Games are admirable for piquing kids’ interests
Turn the study lessons into exciting games for the kids. Games make the lesson more interactive and bring out your child’s competitive side – they want to compete and excel in the games. Thus, games effectively serve the purpose of being both educational and fun, making them one of the first excellent choices. A great game example to improve your child’s general knowledge is to say a name of a country and ask them to pick a place with the last letter of the country said by you.
So if you start with Singapore, they need to develop a place starting from E. You can use this game for many other things, like improving vocabulary, learning scientists’ names, etc.
2. Pick a primary school that adopts new ways of learning
Since your child spends most of the day at school, explore an affordable international school in Singapore that uses innovative education techniques. The education should be holistic and inquiry-based, so your child can explore and think for themselves. Such education is not one-way; instead, the teacher introduces new concepts and allows the child to think for themselves. The education is also more personalised and moves at a pace comfortable for the child so they don’t get overburdened.
3. Animations are children’s all-time favourites!
With the internet, you will find no shortage of animated educational material. Instead of just getting your child to study via learning and reading, introduce them to songs, animations, and stories. Television watching is generally discouraged, but it could be allowed when it showcases educational stuff. Show your child Discovery, National Geographic, Animal Planet and other informative channels so they can learn while having fun.
4. Have Theatrical Readings
They were reading in a monotonous tone or asking children to read silently while studying can induce sleep and lethargy, which invariably leads to missing out on crucial information. To make the study lesson more fun and exciting, have the kids read dramatically, especially important information in the textbook. Reading out loud makes it easier for kids to remember, and the dramatics ensure that children are having fun while studying.
5. Take a Break to dance
It may sound absurd, but it is another effective technique to break the monotony and ensure your kids have fun while studying. Breaks are important for everything; you can’t spend hours on a particular subject and expect to retain information without a quick rejuvenating break. Take a break and dance; do this from time to time when things get hectic or too much.
It is a good exercise because the kids get some movement and restart their minds. Play fun or relevant informational music to make this dance break more productive.
6. Rely on the pictorial representation of Important Points
At times kids find it challenging to grasp and remember specific concepts. Ask the kids to draw pictures to help illustrate pertinent points. Not only is this an enjoyable way to study, but it aids students in remembering things more leisurely. You can also add supportive pictures to showcase crucial information, making the concept fun and easier to learn.
7. Get the kids to do some practice tests
Exam time tends to stress out many kids, so incorporating some fun practice tests as part of your study time can make it fun. It also puts the kids at ease and helps them learn better. They can even retain essential information the more tests they practice.
8. Use storytelling as a means to educate
Come up with stories and relate them to what the children are learning. It is a fantastic way to build on prevailing receptive and expressive language skills.
9. Reward the children
Rewards are always a great motivator, no matter the age. When children know an award awaits them, they remain motivated to study and learn. When they complete their homework, finish a dictation, solve new maths problems, praise them and reward them upon competition of their work. Make a reward chart where each day has a particular learning task that needs to be accomplished before study time ends. Rewards don’t need to be big, just small and meaningful.
10. Use new and different ways of learning
If your kid has difficulty remembering things, try taking notes by hand or making flashcards. If your child has to pick new words, try to mimic their favourite cartoon character and say them aloud hilariously. Draw pictures and act them out for kids. Try multiple things and see what works best. Some children learn best by doing things systematically and step-by-step, while others prefer exploration through open-ended activities. Remember, there is no wrong or right way, only the way that works best for your child.
With all these techniques, studying will surely be fun for your kids. They will grow mentally while having fun and becoming more confident.
Also read: How Students Can Study Remotely: 5 Tips To Make It Work
