For young children, learning doesn’t just take place in a classroom environment. Often, inquisitive young minds can find insights in surprising new places. Children develop and grow mainly as a consequence of play and exploration, and, if they’re doing these things in the right environment, the learning opportunities can be significant.
Everyday Adventures: Learning at the Supermarket
A trip to the supermarket with a very young child can be a stressful, even dreadworthy, experience. On the other hand, it’s also an opportunity to teach them a few lessons about home economics, personal finance, and nutrition. One approach might be to let them buy treats, but only if they pay for them.
The Magic of Public Transport
Navigating public transport in an unfamiliar place can be daunting, for adults as well as children. By taking your kids on public transport, you’ll give them the confidence they need to make use of these systems. In turn, this might provide them with a valuable sense of independence.
Why Street Markets Are Mini Classrooms
A street market can be educational for all of the reasons a supermarket is. The difference is that the diversity of vendors, and products, is greater. There’s also scope for haggling. If children can be taught to strike a deal with strangers, they’ll have the courage and experience to deal with the people they meet in later life.
Holidays That Teach
Going on a holiday to a new and exotic part of the world can be informative for both children and adults. You might spend time touring a historic part of a European capital, or hiking through nature. A Budapest city break, for example, might provide a chance to look at very old buildings, and to examine the forces that have helped shape Europe and its history.
Conversations Over Coffee: Social Skills in Action
Spoken conversation is something that comes naturally to some. For others, picking up the skill can take time and patience. What matters is that children get the chance to practice this skill in a real-world environment. Immersing oneself in a screen, without the innumerable subtle cues and hints that come with face-to-face interaction, can be bad for mental health in the long term. Making time to chat over a coffee can provide respite – and a chance to enjoy a delicious beverage!
How to Encourage Curiosity Anywhere
The good news is that children are naturally curious – if they’re provided with the right environment to be curious about. In some cases, what’s required is a little push. Talk to them about why a certain aspect of the world is relevant to their interests. For example, if you want to start a discussion about compound interest rates and savings accounts, you might think about a particular objective they have, or a toy they’d like to buy.
