Emotion and Learning: The Correlation That Might Surprise You

Why can children readily recall information they’ve learned from their favorite educational videos and songs but often struggle to remember what you said yesterday? The answer lies in the science behind emotion and learning.

Over forty years of research shows that kids remember what makes them happy. The more positive feelings kids associate with a task or skill set, the more effectively the learning sticks.

That’s why listening to songs, singing along with favorite shows, and laughing at the antics of the characters in their favorite animated educational videos are perfect tools for language acquisition. Additionally, as children familiarize themselves with new words and phrases in songs, they’re picking up new vocabulary without worrying about whether they’re saying it correctly or answering questions according to a teacher’s demands. It makes for stress-free learning. Add all these ingredients together and you have the makings of a learning journey kids will want to engage in day after day.

Looking to start your child’s language journey with language learning videos? Here are some helpful tips to ensure the process is fun for the whole family:

Suggest, Don’t Demand:
Let your kids determine when they want to watch their favorite educational videos. Suggest it as an activity on a regular basis but never force it on your kids. Giving them the ability to decide when and for how long they want to participate inspires them to take ownership of their learning journey.

Cater to Your Child’s Learning Style:
Remember, every child learns differently. This is as true in the classroom as it is out of the classroom. Some kids are content to listen to the songs and process silently. Others might want to sing along and dance while watching. One of your children might shout out the answers to questions posed by characters while another child prefers to answer silently to themselves. Be aware of your child’s learning style and follow their lead.

Be Patient, Always: 
For many parents, it’s easy to forget that hearing and understanding always precede speaking during language acquisition. But, think about your own language development. First your parents or caregivers spoke to you in your native language. As you listened, you began to understand what they were saying. Then, after a learning period, you began to speak the language. The same is true for kids learning a second language. If they don’t immediately start speaking the language, remain calm. It will come.

Language learning can be an exciting journey for your child. Share their enthusiasm and support them in carrying the learning over into their day to day activities. Before you know it, your child will be wowing you with their mastery of their new language. Confidence and conversation will bloom organically!