Related Research

Julie Piazza-King, Director, Family Life Child Care Program, on Motivation and Learning in Young Children

Sometimes parents will ask our teaching staff if they feel that their child is learning. Parents are sometimes concerned that because their child seems to be engaging in a lot of "play" in the classroom, that they may not be learning important concepts or skills. On occasion, parents even ask if we will be doing worksheets with preschool children.

Research shows that young children learn through play and exploration, even during infancy. In fact, young children learn through everything they do! At Family Life Child Care Centers, classrooms are separated into "discovery" areas, which encourage children to explore and use their imagination daily. Young children are not motivated to learn through sitting at desks and completing worksheets.

Research has also shown that children form attitudes about learning at a very early age that they will carry with them throughout their lifetime. Learning should be fun for young children, and give them the opportunity to experience success. With video games continuing to gain in popularity, more children should be encouraged to use their imagination and creativity. This is what sets the foundation for learning now and in the future. Check out this article to learn more about how you can motivate your child to continue learning and using their imagination.