The funny thing about making learning fun for kids is that all of us, no matter the age, would prefer to have fun while we learn! What’s the opposite of “fun”, after all? Boring, disagreeable, tiring, unfunny, unpleasant… No thanks! Perhaps the subject-matter for an adult may differ at times from what makes something fun for a kid, but the fundamentals are mostly the same.
- Create Discovery/Experimentation
Kids love to explore and discover things on their own. Most of us don’t like to have new knowledge dished up like a ready-made slice of dry toast: “Here you go! Dig in!” We want to learn on our own how something works, we want options, to pick the direction to go in, or to try out an idea of our own. Serious Games (games for learning) are a great way to build in discovery and experimentation, but there are also easy ways to do this from within a learning management system, or through project learning in the classroom or online. One example is giving learners multiple options or directions to pursue, then allowing learners to discover the “answers” on their own. - Apply Background Knowledge
One of the most rewarding things that can happen when we’re learning new things is when we realize we already bring knowledge to the table that applies! The idea of having a schema in our understanding that we can apply to something new – “I understand this because it is like that.” Cool! We feel accomplished when this happens and it makes the new learning easier, but also fun and more engaging. And when we build on our existing knowledge it helps it stick better in our long term memory because we use different parts of our brain working together to create this new knowledge. - Incorporate Joy and Delight
Incorporating joy and delight into learning can significantly enhance engagement and retention. Interactive activities, such as simulations, games, or role-playing, can make learning fun and allow learners to actively engage with the material. They can also foster a sense of curiosity and wonder, encouraging a learner to ask questions, becoming yet more engaged. But something as simple as a playful illustration or humorous cartoon can also add delight to a learning experience! - Create Collaboration
Group activities, peer learning, and collaborative projects can create a supportive learning environment where individuals feel valued and connected. These are important feelings to support an enjoyable and rewarding experience in the classroom, or at work or play for that matter. - Tap into Learner Creativity
Encouraging creativity and artistic expression in learning, such as through drawing, music, drama, or other areas of the arts, appeals to learners with different strengths and learning styles.
At The Farthest Pixel we focus on making learning fun, no matter the age! And we love working on projects for kids!
We recently completed a project for 95 Percent Group, creating an interactive learning experience called Sound Stretch for young students learning to read. We have a demo available for you to check out where you can interact with the first letter, A is for Apple, in the activity.
