10 ways to nurture students' interest

This e-book is written based on the interest of the children. Studies have

shown that children’s participation in activities that are interesting to them

is fi lled with powerful learning opportunities, including opportunities to

build language and communication skills.

Notice your child's interest by paying attention to what makes her smile

and laugh. What does she like to do with her peers? Are there activities she

could try with a friend?

At some point, children’s interests can feel overwhelming. Sometimes they

take up so much of your time and money, like little league or gymnastics.

Other times, they’re so unusual that your initial plans get screwed up (like

visiting fountains instead of zoo animals). We might have hoped they’d be

interested in our own passions (like sports or music). Or we have no idea

what to make of them (what exactly do you do when your child

loves vacuums?). Still, we should encourage their interests, no matter how

strange or different they may be from ours.

There are children who absolutely love everything they do and try. They

have natural athletic talent, are quick learner and able to pick up new

things easily, and really enjoy being active. These types of children end up

in a dilemma when they need to pick and choose what they want to do as

an extracurricular activity because they want to do everything. You will

need to help them find their niche.