Admissions Blog

Foster Lifelong Learning in Your Child: 4 Ways to a Biblical Approach

Renowned author and management expert Peter Drucker once said, “An educated person is someone who has learned how to learn and never stops learning.” Many schools and parents recognize the importance of nurturing the desire to learn and teaching the tools for learning at an early age. 

As Christians, learning is at the very heart of our faith. To be a disciple means to be a learner. Throughout the Bible, we are reminded of the importance of learning and wisdom. Proverbs 18:15 reminds us “An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.” And John 14:26 says, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” 

For Christians, learning goes beyond facts and information. “We are lifelong learners in relationship with Jesus as we hear his voice in his word and have his ear in prayer, and share in community with his body, all through the power of his Spirit,” says David Mathis of Desiring God. 

How can parents foster a lifelong love of learning in children, not just from an academic perspective, but from a biblical approach? 

The Importance of a Christian Education

One of the main influences on your child’s learning experience and attitude toward acquiring not just knowledge, but also wisdom, is the school experience. This is why many parents choose a Christian education for their children. Schools that are serious about growing Christian disciples and partnering with parents in both academic excellence and spiritual growth will make a culture where learning is a valued priority.

4 Guidelines for Cultivating a Love of Learning

To help your child become a lifelong learner, look for a school that can help you follow these five guidelines. 

1. Honor the Different Ways Children Learn
Both schools and parents should recognize that each child is uniquely made by God and therefore honor the way each child learns. By helping children make choices about how they learn — whether through reading, hands-on experiments, watching a video, or other ways  — you will foster a natural sense of curiosity.  

Look for schools that offer differentiated lessons,  rich technology resources, STEM activities, art, and music. Both teachers and students should embrace that differences among children are part of God’s plan for each of us to have distinct gifts and talents. 

2. Encourage Children to Ask Quality Questions
Deeper learning happens when children learn how to ask questions that center around why, how, and what if.  These types of questions are central to learning academics as well as understanding God’s work in the world. Letting children ask questions keeps them more engaged in both academic lessons and in learning the Scriptures. 

3. Develop a Moral Vocabulary
Words such as honesty, trust, respect, responsibility, fairness, and courage are core to living out the Christian faith. Use these words to express and reinforce your family values. Both teachers at school and family members should be teaching children behaviors that are grounded in these principles. 

All of these values work hand-in-hand with the concept of lifelong learning and growth, particularly spiritual, emotional, and social growth. Talk about ways the Bible teaches us these principles and ways that we can practice them in school and at home. Just like students practice spelling, multiplication tables, and musical instruments, they should be practicing living out Christian values. 

4. Be a Role Model of Learning
Let children know that adults can be learning new things too. Not only should you read with your children, but you should also make time to read for yourself, attend a Bible study, or learn a new hobby. If you’ve been to the movies as a family, discuss the characters and plot of the movie and have each family member share something they learned. Encourage children to update you on what they have learned at school at the dinner table. As they grow older, you can be sure you will learn something new from them. Praise them and point out what they were able to teach you. 

Nurturing Elementary Students at Wesleyan Christian Academy

Wesleyan Christian Academy offers a Christ-centered education for children from preschool through grade 12. Students in elementary school thrive in a supportive atmosphere that weaves the Word of God into every subject as well as day-to-day interactions in the classroom.  Read more about how Wesleyan Christian Academy nurtures young students and creates a thirst for learning. You can also learn how to sign up for a tour. 

 

Parents often have mixed feelings about extracurricular activities. Of course, they’re fun and offer an opportunity to build valuable skills, but are they also a distraction? Shouldn’t high school students be focused primarily on their academic performance? 

We believe the opportunities extracurricular activities provide can be just as important as in-class learning, and what might surprise parents most is that students who are engaged in activities often perform better in their core studies.

Here are the top five ways students benefit from being involved in high school extracurriculars. 

1. They respond to God’s calling on their lives.
Students should strive for excellence in the classroom, but there’s no denying that each child has God-given gifts that cannot always be developed at a desk. Through extracurricular activities, students often realize how God created them to use their unique talents.

2. They cultivate an active lifestyle.
Athletics, specifically, foster healthy habits that usually remain in place for life. Even programs in the arts such as theater encourage movement. Whether in football or chess club, students thrive through both mental and physical stimulation. 

3. They expand their social circles.
Extracurricular activities provide students the joy of building relationships centered on shared interests and goals. In high school it can often feel like everyone has their small circle, but extracurricular activities help students develop friendships they might have otherwise missed out on.

4. They connect with the outside world.
Through local and global outreach projects, students’ horizons are broadened as they serve others through tangible skills. Whether participating in a community event or traveling on a mission trip, these connections give way to positive growth.

5. They prepare for college and beyond.
Most adults would agree that college – and life thereafter – is a juggling act. As students pursue activities beyond the classroom, they discover valuable skills such as time management, prioritization, leadership, collaboration, and problem solving, to name a few.

Choose a High School with a Broad Range of Activities

If you’re searching for the best Christian high school environment for your child, consider the value of a strong and diverse extracurricular program. When your student has opportunities to grow outside the classroom, you will see enhanced self-esteem and invaluable life skills developed. 

Explore campus life at Wesleyan today, as well as our athletics programs and fine arts programs.

 

Pediatricians, psychologists, and educators all agree that children reach important developmental milestones during the preschool years. Physical and social skills such as sorting by color, dressing themselves, playing with others, and following two-step instructions are vital to success in school and in life.

For families who are raising their child in a Christian home, there is another important set of milestones: markers of spiritual growth. Here are five vital signs of spiritual development for preschoolers and tips for nurturing their spiritual growth.  

1. Saying Prayers
   
   By the time a child is two or three, they have gained enough language skills that they can say simple prayers at meals and bedtime. Parents, teachers, and ministers can teach children to pray by saying simple short phrases and asking the child to repeat the words; helping children memorize blessings and familiar prayers; and encouraging children to pray in their own words.

2. Asking Questions
   
   Preschoolers are notorious for asking questions and this applies to inquiries about faith as well. Children may ask about characters from Bible stories or have questions around how God made them. Adults should listen to questions with respect and answer them honestly in simple terms. Telling children not to ask questions or not taking questions seriously can lead children to stop discussing their faith questions.

3. Modeling Adults
   
   Young children love to copy adult behavior; therefore, it’s important to have good role models at home, school, and church. When they see adults treating others kindly, praying, and reading the Bible, they will work to do the same.

4. Connecting Good Deeds to Beliefs
   
   Helping others and showing kindness are concepts that preschoolers can understand when you let them practice these ideas. Try making the ideas concrete by asking preschoolers to share toys, play with another child who looks lonely, help collect food for those in need, or make a get well card for someone who is sick. Explain that God wants us to show love to others by helping them.

5. Enjoying Bible Stories
   
   Preschoolers will often listen attentively to Bible stories, especially ones with memorable characters, including animals or children. Typical favorites include the birth of Jesus, Noah’s ark, the feeding of the 5,000 (five loaves and two fishes), and Daniel and the lion’s den.

Interested in a Preschool that Nurtures Spiritual Development?

If you’re looking for a preschool that nurtures the whole child — academic, emotional, social, physical, and spiritual — explore the Early Education program at Wesleyan Christian Academy in High Point, NC.  We partner with parents to help provide a loving, Christian environment where children can not only succeed academically but also grow in their faith.

Learn more about our early education program or download our free checklist for preschool readiness.