Restoring a Child’s Love for Learning!
Learning is such an innate part of our being that oftentimes we do it without being conscious of it.
When we sit in a park or in the mall to “people watch” we learn; when we take in a radio or television
program that may present a new idea or alter our thinking in some fashion we’re learning. Even on a
more basic level, when we experience a bad outcome from a situation, we learn what not to repeat
again…most of us that is! Hence it is a very natural process inevitably forging new heights in our
perception of our world and assists in our evolution as human beings.
But sadly many people (including children) possess an aversion towards learning. The very idea conjures
images of rigidity, frustration and feelings of anxiety. What is quite interesting is that as children we
began our lives with a completely different perspective. So what is it that has shifted so many people’s
perspective on something so pivotal to our overall development?
Many child experts agree that children come here with an insatiable desire to absorb what they can
about their surroundings; which could possibly be attributed to the rapid brain development occurring
during this time in childhood. From birth until about six years of age, researchers have noted that brain
functioning is much more active than that of a college student. Still for many parents, this is the time
that they do the least teaching and exploring with their children.
For those who take advantage of this explosive time of their children’s brain development the evidence is
clear – early childhood education yields high achievers, in some cases even child prodigies but at the very
least, solid students. These parents who have bridged their children’s natural inclination for an enviable
learning experience with classroom demands continued to reap bountiful rewards.
In the home, these parents have learned how to inspire their children; employed interesting teaching
methods; and have managed to impart knowledge in harmony with their child’s learning style. Because of
these efforts, their children have in fact become “school-proofed” in that no matter what ensuing crisis
may take place in school (cuts in gifted programs, an inexperienced teacher, crowded classrooms) they
are not only already well-prepared but will thrive in spite of these challenges.
But that brings us once again to children who may not have received that level of preparedness and have
lost their motivation (or better yet inspiration) to learn. Can it be restored once again?
First let us rest easy in realizing that regardless of what your children may demonstrate to you – they are
not completely turned off to the learning experience. They are forever learning something even if they
can’t get a degree in its mastery. Whether it’s lyrics to a new song, secret codes to a video game or the
mechanics of downloading material from itunes, they unwittingly clue us in on the fact that their desire to
learn rages on for things they want but seems to evaporate when it comes to academics. So then the
real question becomes how do we transfer some of that desire back into scholastics.
When something as natural as acquiring knowledge is expected to occur within a structure lacking
factors pertinent to success things become much more complicated. It has once been said that there are
some children that are so motivated that if you placed them inside of a closet with nothing but a flashlight
and cereal box they would still learn. And it’s true! Some children not only learn in a setting that has
been around since the turn of the 20th century but manage to do extremely well!
However, what’s also true is that children are individual beings with unique needs and ways of processing
information and for every high achiever who flash papers marked with happy faces or a massive, red-
inked “A” there are many more that underachieve and dread any and all things associated with
conventional learning.
Children lose their love for learning for a myriad of reasons but one factor for sure is as a society, we
are ushered into an environment that is configured to teaching the masses; where consistent attention to
individual learning sensibilities as a rule, is impractical to the whole. Many students quickly become
disinterested for this reason alone especially if he/she experiences cognitive leaps!
This makes profound sense once you think about it. Even as toddlers, we had the freedom to absorb any
and everything about an object that grabbed our attention only to further exercise that freedom by
discarding it in favor of something else far more interesting. Try to force something onto a toddler once
he/she has had their fill of it and you will have a frustrated, fussy toddler on your hands.
However for some reason, that aspect of learning is forgotten in school and in many cases, children are
forced to dwell too much on concepts already mastered thereby rendering the learning experience
repulsive. Parents and teachers who are able to move a child from one concept to the next upon
mastery are the ones who nurture brilliance, plain and simple. This is the key to keeping older children
excited about academics and in love with learning.
As a mother of two who has learned the importance of sharing information and connecting with other
parents of similar struggles, I’ve decided to be a catalyst in launching an online community for parents in
communities worldwide interested in combining accelerated academics (without the pressure many
associate with the experience) with a spirit of joy and loving-kindness.
Many people are often surprised when I convey (and our children attest to) the fact that I avoided using
the “boot-camp” approach in home-schooling my children - resulting with one beginning college at the
age of 11 and the other, a high school freshman at 13. It was important to me that our children become
lovers of life-long learning, so effortless learning was the order of the day!
This website will present ways to reinvigorate your child’s attitude for learning. You will delight in the
personal stories, “how-to” tips, articles, newsletters, research, opportunities and products geared to
empowering you as parents in your efforts to guide your children to academic excellence whether it is
by means of radical acceleration or strengthening skills sets in their current grade level.
Even today, I am still amazed with what a little enthusiasm, patience and creativity has yielded for my
family and these attributes can accomplish similar results for you! You never know what gifts can
emerge in your children through consistent parental involvement.
Did I know that our son would end up on a college campus at 11, garner media attention and radically
change the views of African-Americans and education when I started? Of course not! Was I even
remotely aware that our daughter would begin high school at 13; juggle honors and AP courses; serve
her community; become a world traveler and very likely a high school graduate with an impressive GPA -
all before reaching her 17th birthday? Nope…had no clue!
My only wish for them from the moment they entered into this world was for them to become good
students of impeccable character who enjoyed life! There was no way that I could have perceived our
current reality from their births. But it just goes to show you how powerful intent, love and respect can
be when you relate to your children as the wonderful beings that they are.
I look forward to assisting you by means of this website and I wish you total success in your quest for
your children’s scholastic achievement!
Michelle Brown-Stafford
Learning is such an innate part of our being that oftentimes we do it without being conscious of it.
When we sit in a park or in the mall to “people watch” we learn; when we take in a radio or television
program that may present a new idea or alter our thinking in some fashion we’re learning. Even on a
more basic level, when we experience a bad outcome from a situation, we learn what not to repeat
again…most of us that is! Hence it is a very natural process inevitably forging new heights in our
perception of our world and assists in our evolution as human beings.
But sadly many people (including children) possess an aversion towards learning. The very idea conjures
images of rigidity, frustration and feelings of anxiety. What is quite interesting is that as children we
began our lives with a completely different perspective. So what is it that has shifted so many people’s
perspective on something so pivotal to our overall development?
Many child experts agree that children come here with an insatiable desire to absorb what they can
about their surroundings; which could possibly be attributed to the rapid brain development occurring
during this time in childhood. From birth until about six years of age, researchers have noted that brain
functioning is much more active than that of a college student. Still for many parents, this is the time
that they do the least teaching and exploring with their children.
For those who take advantage of this explosive time of their children’s brain development the evidence is
clear – early childhood education yields high achievers, in some cases even child prodigies but at the very
least, solid students. These parents who have bridged their children’s natural inclination for an enviable
learning experience with classroom demands continued to reap bountiful rewards.
In the home, these parents have learned how to inspire their children; employed interesting teaching
methods; and have managed to impart knowledge in harmony with their child’s learning style. Because of
these efforts, their children have in fact become “school-proofed” in that no matter what ensuing crisis
may take place in school (cuts in gifted programs, an inexperienced teacher, crowded classrooms) they
are not only already well-prepared but will thrive in spite of these challenges.
But that brings us once again to children who may not have received that level of preparedness and have
lost their motivation (or better yet inspiration) to learn. Can it be restored once again?
First let us rest easy in realizing that regardless of what your children may demonstrate to you – they are
not completely turned off to the learning experience. They are forever learning something even if they
can’t get a degree in its mastery. Whether it’s lyrics to a new song, secret codes to a video game or the
mechanics of downloading material from itunes, they unwittingly clue us in on the fact that their desire to
learn rages on for things they want but seems to evaporate when it comes to academics. So then the
real question becomes how do we transfer some of that desire back into scholastics.
When something as natural as acquiring knowledge is expected to occur within a structure lacking
factors pertinent to success things become much more complicated. It has once been said that there are
some children that are so motivated that if you placed them inside of a closet with nothing but a flashlight
and cereal box they would still learn. And it’s true! Some children not only learn in a setting that has
been around since the turn of the 20th century but manage to do extremely well!
However, what’s also true is that children are individual beings with unique needs and ways of processing
information and for every high achiever who flash papers marked with happy faces or a massive, red-
inked “A” there are many more that underachieve and dread any and all things associated with
conventional learning.
Children lose their love for learning for a myriad of reasons but one factor for sure is as a society, we
are ushered into an environment that is configured to teaching the masses; where consistent attention to
individual learning sensibilities as a rule, is impractical to the whole. Many students quickly become
disinterested for this reason alone especially if he/she experiences cognitive leaps!
This makes profound sense once you think about it. Even as toddlers, we had the freedom to absorb any
and everything about an object that grabbed our attention only to further exercise that freedom by
discarding it in favor of something else far more interesting. Try to force something onto a toddler once
he/she has had their fill of it and you will have a frustrated, fussy toddler on your hands.
However for some reason, that aspect of learning is forgotten in school and in many cases, children are
forced to dwell too much on concepts already mastered thereby rendering the learning experience
repulsive. Parents and teachers who are able to move a child from one concept to the next upon
mastery are the ones who nurture brilliance, plain and simple. This is the key to keeping older children
excited about academics and in love with learning.
As a mother of two who has learned the importance of sharing information and connecting with other
parents of similar struggles, I’ve decided to be a catalyst in launching an online community for parents in
communities worldwide interested in combining accelerated academics (without the pressure many
associate with the experience) with a spirit of joy and loving-kindness.
Many people are often surprised when I convey (and our children attest to) the fact that I avoided using
the “boot-camp” approach in home-schooling my children - resulting with one beginning college at the
age of 11 and the other, a high school freshman at 13. It was important to me that our children become
lovers of life-long learning, so effortless learning was the order of the day!
This website will present ways to reinvigorate your child’s attitude for learning. You will delight in the
personal stories, “how-to” tips, articles, newsletters, research, opportunities and products geared to
empowering you as parents in your efforts to guide your children to academic excellence whether it is
by means of radical acceleration or strengthening skills sets in their current grade level.
Even today, I am still amazed with what a little enthusiasm, patience and creativity has yielded for my
family and these attributes can accomplish similar results for you! You never know what gifts can
emerge in your children through consistent parental involvement.
Did I know that our son would end up on a college campus at 11, garner media attention and radically
change the views of African-Americans and education when I started? Of course not! Was I even
remotely aware that our daughter would begin high school at 13; juggle honors and AP courses; serve
her community; become a world traveler and very likely a high school graduate with an impressive GPA -
all before reaching her 17th birthday? Nope…had no clue!
My only wish for them from the moment they entered into this world was for them to become good
students of impeccable character who enjoyed life! There was no way that I could have perceived our
current reality from their births. But it just goes to show you how powerful intent, love and respect can
be when you relate to your children as the wonderful beings that they are.
I look forward to assisting you by means of this website and I wish you total success in your quest for
your children’s scholastic achievement!
Michelle Brown-Stafford
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