Why to Encourage Child Explore and Learn Of Its Own?

It once so happened that my son’s pre-school teacher stopped me from guiding him in colouring. He was colouring a leaf blue and I was itching to tell him, “No it’s green”. His teacher stopped me, she said “Let him use whatever colour he likes. He will soon find out that leaves are not blue. And he will stop colouring them blue. Let him find out on his own”. [Watch Video - Child's Brain Development and Key Developmental Milestones]

From that day I realised a big mistake I was making completely unaware of its effect. I thought to myself, isn’t this a much better way for a child to learn as he explores his surroundings with wonder in his eyes. I should let him discover on his own. By letting him colour the leaves blue, I am actually helping him to imagine. By stopping him, I am preventing him to think.

Why Let Child Explore and Learn of His/Her Own?

These and a few more important things, benefits I learnt while bringing up my son. I am sharing these with you and look forward to knowing yours too.

#1: Let Your Child Think and Create – Your child will make mistakes when she’s creating things on her own. My little one used to colour everything blue. But stopping your child from doing what she likes shall limit her imagination at a time when she needs her wonder wings to let her imagination fly.

#2: Let Your Child Make A Mess - Give your child time to learn and to grow up to understand the adult ways. She will learn to be neat and tidy with time. Little ones shall make a mess when painting or creating things. There might be glue all around, colours spilt, an extra job for you, but think about how this gives wings to your child’s imagination and creativity. This does not mean that you will not stop them from painting the whole house blue.

#3: Help Your Child Only When He/She Asks for It – Stay around and watch them create wonders. If your little one loves to craft, he may be creating various things every day. Do not get into it and glue the pieces or colour the craft. Let her do it on her own. Only help as much as she likes.

#4: Give Space to Your Child - Only when she is allowed to do things on her own, will your child understand that everyone needs their own space. This shall also help her learn to play on her own and give you ample time to finish your chores. [Read - Importance of Outdoor & Play-Learning Activities]

#5: Interest in Music – You definitely want them to appreciate good music. But do not stop your child from listening to her favourite rhymes. Let her enjoy even if it is a song, which you are not fond of. More she hears music, more she will be able to gain an ear for good music. Remember, music also gives them rhythm from an early age.

#6: Listen to Your Child - Give importance to your child’s opinions. Make her feel that she is an important member of the family and her opinion also matters. That way they will develop a healthy self-image and esteem. 

#7: Let Your Child Help You with House Chores - Teach her to keep her room clean and do little odd jobs around the house. That way she’ll learn to be responsible. A child can feel very important when s/he does little jobs around the house like her mommy and daddy.

#8: Spend as Much of Your Time with Your Child as Possible - It will not be long when your child shall grow up and shall be independent. You will have these beautiful memories to a saviour. At the end of the day, s/he is your child and you definitely want your child to be a good human being. You want your child to be responsible and caring.

Your child shall grow up. And you want your child to be a good soul. It’s easier said than done. You will consciously put a lot of effort for your child at every stage to realize your child’s dream. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t let your child make a few mistakes and learn from them. Let your child make mistakes because that’s perhaps the best way one can learn the rights and wrongs. I made a few mistakes while learning to be a mommy. I am still learning. And I really hope I can teach my son a lot of good things. Because he taught me something very difficult - he taught me to be a mom.

I look forward to reading what your child teaches you every day in the comments section.