How do I get my 4 year old to be more interested in learning?

Question

I have twin boys and the younger of the two doesn't seem too interested in learning. I've tried bath letters, workbooks, playing games to learn...but nothing has worked. My other son is already spelling words. Is there anything else I can do to help him?

Answer 1

Give him/her flashcards.Yesterday we gave my 2 year old sister 3 packs of  flashcards she new them all..

Answer 2

Get his eyes check and maybe his hearing check to.

You will have to let him catch you in the act reading a book and learning yourself.

Its probably monkey see monkey do with dad not with his twin.

Cut back on TV time, tried that?

Answer 3

First, most four year olds aren't writing more than their name.  While they may have started reading, know their alphabet, and so on, it is exceptional, not normal, if the older one is spelling anything bigger than 'cat'.  You do need to get the younger one into learning, but don't worry that he can't understand what the older one does.  Part of his disinterest could just be that he can't do it, his brother can, so he wants to play another game.  

My best suggestion for now would be to work on the non-book areas of learning for a while--get him curious about nature in the backyard and then go inside and look at a book you got from the library or the computer to learn more.

Answer 4

Yep! Don't push it. Make it secretively inviting until he is actually 'thirsting' to learn. Even then, say, "No, I don't think so". Trust me, the more you try to discourage and take it away, the more he'll want it...When he is at the point of begging and really wanting to learn...he will take off like a rocket! You will be so amazed. I finally learned this with my last child! Good luck!

Answer 5

This site has learning activites, summer activites and more so loook at it and your problems are solved

Answer 6

They are FOUR. They are learning constantly. Learning doesn't occur only in the contexts you describe. Just let them live and explore their worlds as much as possible. They ARE learning, just not in the preconceived ways you expect.

Please - everyone - do yourselves and your children a HUGE favor and pick up at least one book about child development.

Answer 7

you have to accept that evry child is different and they shud never be compared to each other. children will all be interested in 'learning' at their own age and stage.

also you must remember that children learn through PLAY so when you think your child is only playin with his cars for example he is actually developing his fine and gross motor skils (physical) he is learning about pushin and pulling (especially wen u ask him lots of questions and tell him what happens wen he pushes the cars) also he is learning about imitatin adults and developin role play, learning can be all number of things not just writing and maths, you have to remember that a child of this age wouldnt be expected and SHOULDNT be expected to sit down for longer than 10 minutes and shudnt be expected to read, write, do maths sums etc, children shud be left to learn through their all important play so next time you want to teach them somethin get al their favourite toys, take them to the park or out in your garden, put them on the grass, sit with your children on the floor and play along with their games, (children play best when they have about an arms space between you and them, that way it is comfortable and you dont get a knock round the head from the fast speed rocket they are shhhhhhing through the sky), get some gloop (cornflour and water) and ask them lots of questions about why it seems hard then suddenly runny and talk about how the heat in your hands makes the gloop go runny, do some painting together and get messy with them, grow some seeds like sunflowers and talk about the 'science' behind that, make them name mats they can have for their plate at dinner then they can begin to recognise the letters for their name, lots of things like this are what is best for children, not stuffy classrooms and sitin for over 15 minutes.

good luck and i hope you all have fun learning

Answer 8

Well there are many magazines you can buy with many ideas and even teacher's idea books they are a great source too.

Answer 9

Your son is constantly comparing himself to the other son that already learned his letters. Imagine how frustrating the would be if you were in his shoes.

At work, you and "Becca" got hired the same day and have equal qualifications and education. Two years later, Becca is promoted TWICE and you're still doing the same job. It would make you wanna give up too.

When you're trying to convince him to learn, don't say anything like "your brother can already do this." That's just rubbing it in his face.

Answer 10

I understand your problem and if the games don't work work in this era you have a long, hard road ahead. I think you may find a more pleasant result if you take time and do some of the learning yourself. children are interested in learning to do what their parents do and if you study with him/her you might be able to capture his/her attention, although it will take some time to get adjusted.

Answer 11

My best friend is going through the same problems with her twin boys at the present time as well.  She has noticed though one of the boys is not interested at the moment and the other is actively engaging in learning and development.

She has just been persisting with playing games and trying to engage him in activities that he likes to play, doctors have explained to her that in a lot of cases with twins one will learn slower than the other.

Answer 12

Kids at this age love to hear about when they were still little and are amazed to know how they've grown.  They're capable of engaging in elaborate conversations, and have clear opinions, they can tell you in detail what they think and feel.  They enjoy collaborative play, this activity is rich in fantasy and detail, thus helping kids to interact and to express their ideas and opinions.  Kids at this age are ready for more complicated activities like art work that would require him to wait for glue or paint to dry, an interesting board game wherein he has to wait for his turn or maybe following the steps of a simple recipe.  He has a  longer attention span that he can listen to longer stories; wherein you can use puppets or cutouts of characters to make storytelling more interesting and fun.  You can act out some scenes in the story, role-playing. They enjoy also enjoy exploring places around them, that short trips to a library, museum, bakeshop, fire station, post office can surely fascinate him. You can learn simple songs and incorporate actions as you sing it with them, and some fingerplays, too.  All it takes is creativity and innovativeness in presenting some learning activities for your kids.

Answer 13

Get rid of the slacker twin and concentrate all your time on making the smart child into a genius.  That way you save money now on only having one child, and the smart child can make a ton of money and take care of you in the future.

Problem Solved!