The Learning Household: How to Help Your Child Get More Out of School

Married collaborators Bain (What the Best College Teachers Do), president of the teacher-training Best Teachers Institute, and Marshall Bain, the institute’s coordinator, make a strong case in this smart manual for encouraging children’s natural inquisitiveness to build their love of learning. The authors explain that sparking curiosity through open-ended conversation, like asking “Why are there so many different kinds of animals and plants in the world?” during a walk in the park, can help even young kids feel comfortable asking questions and searching for answers, and “unlock more of what a school education should offer.” Elsewhere, Bain and Marshall Bain argue that genuine interest in a topic can take students further in their studies than rote memorization, citing how one Texas student’s performance soared when she pursued her passion for studying botany, a decision the authors note may “spark dismay” in parents looking for a more practical path. Their approach is bolstered by eye-opening studies: in one example, children were given puzzles that had no solution, and the authors describe how those who believed that “intelligence expands with experience,” rather than being fixed, were more willing to continue having fun. Educators and parents looking to deepen children’s love of learning should check this out. (Aug.)