What are Healthy Learning Habits? And…. How do they nurture life-long learning?

By Jelena Rakovac

Since I came to came to Canada from Serbia during the sensitive teenage years, I have multiple opportunities to learn how to nurture “healthy learning habits” – and, I have a deep appreciation for Resilient Kids Canada’s outreach to parents, caregivers and educators and have In addition to being a Vice-Chair of the Board, I have been an educator for more than twenty years and I am the parent of two children, aged two and six.

In my personal and professional lives, I have put to the test an incredible amount of science-based learning advice. My research has been drawn from the works of multiple experts and I have spoken to many, many students, parents/caregivers and educators. Although every child learns differently, some methods work really well for most of the children that I have taught, including how three to eight year-old-kids form healthy learning habits to be able to succeed in grade school and beyond.

The top five learning habits that help kids gain the confidence to be life-long learners are:

1. Mistakes are an opportunity for learning
As a high school teacher, Jelena noted that many students lack confidence and are afraid of making
a mistake. They resist answering questions in class for fear of being wrong. It is our job to prepare
young kids that it is ok to be wrong. That is how kids learn.

To overcome their fears, simply ask: “What would you do differently next time?’ Or, offer an
answer such as: “Could you use your fingers to add the numbers?” 
Being wrong and gaining confidence go hand in hand. Once children learn that small mistakes
are necessary and nothing to be scared of they will be more comfortable making mistakes and
trying again. The safest way of learning from mistakes is by starting small. Then you build it up
from there so that, in time, young learners tackle more complex questions or problems without a
fear of failing. This tactic also promotes kids’ natural proclivity to creativity and opens the door to
exploration.

You might be wondering how Jelena does it with her young kids. She starts by celebrating small victories.

2. Celebrate small victories
Focus on what they are doing right and comment on it. Dr. Ivan Joseph’s brilliant tactic for building
self-confidence suggests that you should commend the behaviour that you want to see more of.
For example, “I noticed how you carefully followed the words with your finger while reading.” By
explaining exactly what they did right takes more energy on our end than simply giving praise, but
these comments give our children the recipe for success. Kids love to please us and they’ll
naturally do more of it next time. It is a positive feedback loop! “Wow, playing those first two lines
of the new song with your right hand sounded so good, you must be really proud of yourself.” Add
a silly dance or provide a high five as extra points.

3. Movement and play
All kids, and especially those with ADHD, learn better if they move right after learning something new. If
given the chance, children would be moving most of the time, but in a school setting, especially after grade 1, sitting still for increasingly longer periods of time to complete a task is preferred. How can you help your child focus better at home? Simply allow your child to get up, jump or play peek-a-boo as soon as they’ve learned something new – this will help them learn faster! Moreover, they will feel a sense of accomplishment once you’ve celebrated their victory, and they’ll be back for more.

4. Less is more
When working with young learners, less is more! Sometimes, tasks may look intimidating to small
children, especially those who are still building their self-confidence. Break assignments into small
achievable tasks that don’t take more than 10-15 minutes to accomplish. Then, of course, let them
move after each task is finished, and watch the transformation as your kid gains confidence with a
smile on their face.

5. Smile and be patient
Remembering that healthy habits take time, a positive attitude and patience are key. Your children
easily pick up the energy they’re surrounded with. Imagine that well-structured and predictable
school work sessions can be an enjoyable time spent together at home. This can be quality time to
look forward to once the routine sets in. Take three deep breaths, smile and practice a lot of
patience. Know that you are not alone and that the rewards are worth it! ContactResilient Kids Canada at info@resilientkidscan.org if stuck – we have your back!

So how do I start?

As a parent, guardian, or caregiver, you are already busy enough that any addition to the daily
schedule might seem daunting. You want to give it a try but might be wondering where to start.

• Set up a weekly reminder in your calendar for a set time to do school work.

• Look for a realistic day and time where you can spend 10-15 minutes with your child
  uninterrupted. For example, Mondays and Thursdays, 5:30-5:45pm.

• Spend up to 10 minutes working, followed by 5 minutes of movement. Then simply
  add another 15 minutes of working, followed by movement as your time and your
  child’s focus permit.

• Remember to comment on what you would like to see more of.

Think of this as a marathon and give yourself a regular pat on the back for your positivity and
patience.

In summary,

1. Teach your children that it’s okay to be wrong and to try as many times as necessary until
   the learning is there.
2. Celebrate small victories with a descriptive comment followed by a silly dance or a high
   five.
3. Chunk their work to no more than 15 minutes of achievable work sessions.
4. Have them move after each session.
5. Stay positive and the rewards will come. We’ve got your back!
   

Repeat.

The easy part in this story is that children, and particularly 3 to 8 year-olds, are naturally curious
and if we can simply excite them about a subject, or direct their focus to a particular schoolwork
assignment, then there’s no telling what amazing things they can come up with. And, if their
curiosity is rewarded by positive feedback in the form of a description of what they’re doing well, and
mistakes taken as an encouragement to try over again, then there’s really no telling of what they
can achieve. Most importantly, a solid foundation is laid – one that will be the bedrock for their life
full of confidence and resilience.

And, check out all the other Insights, resources and tools in each of our Zones to help you foster
resilience for your child – and, for you.

Resilience:

Social, emotional and cognitive skills, and optimistic temperament, and a sense of agency –
a feeling of control over actions/behaviours and their impact on self and others.