3 Keys to Learning
There are many keys to learning, but this is about three keys that you might not think of immediately when it comes to the learning process and how to unlock the door to learning.
The first key is imagination. I heard a parent talking about his discussion with his young son and he asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up. The boy said, “A doctor or an astronaut.” The father was thinking how that would be good because the boy could at least feed HIM when he got older, but then the son added, “Or a dinosaur!” LOL. Now he went from being fed to being food! Be careful what you wish for.
Imagination is a wonderful thing that small kids in particular love to use. For some reason, as we get older, many of us lose this beautiful tool or just forget to use it. When I teach kids, I use imagination to take them places they would not normally go. That is why I tell kids I am Superman. :o) Being that I am pretty old and bald, I don’t exactly fit the description. What it does is get their wheels turning and thinking, “What if…?” I really throw them for a loop when I tell them I am married to Wonder Woman! LOL. Then I grin and give them two big thumbs up! LOL. To help sell the deal, I actually called my wife from home one day and she just played along. It was wonderful and hilarious at the same time.
The second key is laughter. A smile is a universal language, and laughter is the byproduct. I use humor regularly with kids to break the ice, help them refocus, and liven up an otherwise dull subject. Smiling and laughing is a great relief when used appropriately.
The third key is love. When you love what you do and love the kids you teach, it comes through in ways that are almost hypnotic. You add to that the imagination and laughter keys and you have some very powerful tools that satisfy the soul, but leave them wanting more…and THAT is a good thing! That is when a deeper level of learning truly unfolds. Imagine that!
Shalom!
Daniel Skognes