As teachers, it can be challenging to keep children interested and engaged in learning throughout the whole school day. Learning is hard work and takes a lot of brain power – especially for kids.

That’s why it’s so important to help children have fun while learning. When kids are engaged and having fun, they’re not only more likely to retain the information but also to develop a lifelong love for learning.

To facilitate this, we as educators must get creative and find new ways to teach children in a way that feels more like fun than formal learning to them.

Here are 15 ways to spark your creativity and help children get excited to learn!

Creative Ideas for Making Learning Fun:

1. Give Children Choices

Children love feeling like they’re in control. Prompt them with small choices for them to choose from throughout the day. This could be as simple as, “Do you want to read this book or that book?”

2. Make Them Laugh

Don’t be afraid to incorporate some laughter in your lessons. Incorporate a funny story or knock-knock-joke every once in a while, and you’ll be sure to get some giggles!

3. Encourage Teamwork

Allow children to learn alongside their peers. Create opportunities for kids to work together on projects, which will also help them develop important social skills.

4. Gamify the Task

Everyone loves a good challenge, or some friendly competition from time to time. Turn activities into games by adding elements such as a timer or point system.

5. Offer Incentives

Incentivize activities to motivate children even more. Recognize both effort and results by giving out prizes or awards every once in a while.

6. Change the Environment

Sometimes a simple change in scenery can make all the difference in motivation. Switch it up by teaching in a different space or taking the learning outside!

7. Stimulate Movement

Children love to move, so let them! Keep kids engaged by incorporating physical movements, such as dancing or hopping, into lessons.

8. Bring in Props

Using props while teaching can make learning more interesting and playful. Props can also encourage children to use their senses to explore and better understand new concepts.

9. Incorporate Music

Integrating musical elements into learning creates an interesting and sensory-rich experience for children. Try playing music during work time or turning simple lessons into sing-alongs!

10. Use Technology

Incorporating technology into lessons is a great way to keep kids interested and engaged. Tech tools are also a great way to prepare children for a tech-savvy world.

11. Reverse the Roles

Let students be the “teacher” once in a while! Ask them to teach you about what they’ve been learning.

12. Introduce New Topics

Children are still discovering their interests in the early childhood stage. Make sure you introduce a variety of different subjects and frequently change themes to keep things exciting!

13. Create Interactive Experiences

Make your lessons interactive for children. Include lots of hands-on activities and engage kids by asking them questions to keep their curiosity alive.

14. Schedule Breaks

Everyone needs a break once in a while! Be sure to account for regular break times throughout the day before shifting to a new topic.

15. Relate it to Their World

Finally, make your lessons relatable. Relate new concepts to things children are already familiar with, so they can better grasp the new idea and have fun while doing so!

 

The Importance of Play

Learn more about why play is so important for learning in a Parenting Pickup Podcast episode with Sara Reichstadt, Education Coordinator at Kinderberry Hill.

 

We hope you can incorporate these fun ideas into your home or classroom! Visit our Family Resource Library to find interactive children’s activities, recipes, book recommendations, parenting tips, and more!

New Horizon Academy is a nationally recognized early learning provider with over 100  schools in Minnesota, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, and Kansas. Through a play-based curriculum and high-quality daycare, New Horizon Academy schools nurture and prepare children to succeed in school and in life.

Schedule a tour to learn more about our highly trained teachers, safe and secure facilities, and commitment to providing the highest quality care. Contact a New Horizon Academy childcare center near you today!

Find a Daycare