Making Connections....A World of Difference (for both parents and teachers)

Getting students or our own children "hooked" to learning is more than just finding an interesting topic to teach them about.  I believe that children can and will learn about anything presented to them as long as the learning is connected to something they already know!  In order for students to "catch" what you are throwing at them, you have to allow them to make a connection to it, and if they don't on their own, we have to teach our children how to connect to the information.  I don't know about you, but when I hear new information, my mind always wanders and tries to find something like the information presented to me to "anchor" on to.  This is also why we have students blurt out ALL THE TIME....Oh, my mom....or....Oh, I remember one time....Does that happen to you??  
As a kindergarten teacher, this happens more times than I can count, in just one day!  I have learned to embrace these times and now have students "turn and talk" to people next to them, so that they can make that "connection".  
As parents, we also need to know that our children need to make this connection too!  My 4 year old gets so excited when she learns new things and I love to hear her making those connections!!  
So next time you are trying to teach your students or children something, try connecting it to something they already know.
It's worth a try, I promise, it won't disappoint you!!