Often expressed is the concern that young people are not interested in learning because they are overly occupied on their cell phones and not reading books. However, young people today have never known life without a cell phone device. They use it for everything from scheduling to homework. Kids can learn to love learning while using their smartphones by taking advantage of its capabilities. Here are five suggestions.

Start young, or as soon as possible. Children develop perspectives and adopt habits most easily from a young age. Learning is simply acquiring knowledge. So, looking up story times for the library or reading about a new business in town are learning activities. Although your goal for the child may be more in-depth or broader, simple learning begins with the skills to navigate everyday life. Start leading kids to look for information on their own. Use subjects that the child is interested in to show them how they can find more information. Suggest questions that pique their curiosity such as whether or not dinosaurs had feathers and what makes one car faster than the other. Older kids thinking about careers might want to know how much money different jobs pay. Teenagers who are interested in music might want to know how music is produced professionally.

Set an example. Children imitate what they see. Let them see you learning new things. Looking for a job, setting up a budget, or planning a trip, are all endeavors that requiring learning. Show them what you are learning, why you are learning it, and how you look for information. But keep the sessions appropriately shorter, depending on their age, and do not be disappointed if they seem disinterested. The point is to make them aware of the learning process as a natural part of life and living.

Help kids have good experiences or benefit from learning. For example, if you plan on going out to eat, let the kids research restaurants. Ask them to look up distances, menus, and prices and give their opinion on the best option. If they are asking for a pet, let them to look up the costs of caring for one. Help the kids feel comfortable at places of learning. Within 15 miles of Greenville are 2 colleges and a university which offer events such as outdoor movie nights, festivals, and cultural events at low-cost or free to the public. Use these opportunities to become familiar with what is offered there.

Help identify credible sources. If you are not sure where to start, ask at the local school or public library. Older children who are politically inclined can be helped to find credible sources from different points of view and that prepares them participate in educated discussions. Instead of struggling with your kids to limit their cell phone use, redirect their existing incentive by encouraging them to expand the potential for acquiring information and knowledge that equips them to reach their goals.

Marifrances Casey