World class education starts at home

Dr. Artika Tyner

Education opens a world of infinite possibilities. It serves as a gateway to discovery, encouraging children to explore new ideas and unlock their full potential. Beyond the acquisition of knowledge, education fosters critical thinking, empathy, and collaboration. These are essential qualities of effective leadership. It is through education that we build bridges across differences, cultivate innovative solutions to complex social problems. We also empower children to become difference makers in their communities and serve as global citizens.
This month’s column highlights an interview with literacy advocate Stacy Tello Castro, program director at Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute. Stacy discusses strategies for using hands-on learning experiences to promote reading comprehension, foster phonetic comprehension, support language development, and develop critical thinking skills.

Q: What is hands-on learning?
A: Hands-on learning is essential for the learning journey. Hands-on learning is an active approach to participate in a learning process, rather than just listening or reading about a topic. One way I remember hands-on learning is “learning by doing.” The best part is that this type of learning is available free of charge and readily accessible any day of the week. Growing up my mother provided learning opportunities during each visit to the grocery store. For example, we learned how to create a budget for our family as we planned our weekly meals. We explored the basics of arithmetic as we counted the money needed to pay the cashier. We estimated the total cost of our groceries by doing math as we picked out the essential items.
When it came to literacy, my mother always ensured we explored books from different genres. I loved comic books. Growing up, reading comic books was my favorite past time. To encourage me to explore new genres, my mother dedicated 30 minutes each day to reading any kind of book that was not a comic. After our reading time, I would use paper and crayons to draw what I imagined from the pages I had just read. I grew to love this learning activity so much that I continued practicing it in school. Whenever I needed a visual representation, I was able to draw it as a form of guidance throughout the curriculum.

Q: How do you incorporate hands-on learning into your role at PPGJLI?
A: Our Leaders are Readers program is an excellent example of how interactive learning can benefit both children and parents. It is held on the first Saturday of every month at the Rondo Community Library. We offer a variety of hands-on activities, including writing exercises, DIY arts and crafts, and music. For example, acclaimed singer Lanell Lightfoot provides a musical selection. We use the lyrics of each song to introduce new vocabulary words. Through our Leaders are Readers program, I noticed a closer connection between parents and their children while interacting with the interactive activities and literacy. This bond enriches their experience and leads to meaningful conversations, encouraging them to return to our programs.
These activities have provided children with an engaging way to learn while also encouraging parents to get involved. The goal is to make this an opportunity to get inspired to find ways to become creative and come up with hands-on activities together with your children. Thinking outside the box will help develop their curiosity and excitement about learning.

Q. What strategies can first educators use to promote participation and engagement?
A: A great way to show your child that their education is important is by being able to engage and participate in their education journey. It can simply be by picking out a book together at the library, helping them with their homework, or attending school events. Being present promotes a sense of encouragement and support for the pursuit of learning. When you are able to take the time to be involved, children see that learning is a shared experience with the entire family. Simple activities like reading a story aloud or discussing school lessons over dinner can provide different perspectives and make learning more meaningful.

Q. How can you make learning exciting wherever you go?
A: Education doesn’t only need to happen in the classrooms. Learning opportunities exist everywhere. Whether you’re at the grocery store counting the fruits, at the mall pointing out and spelling the names of stores, or discussing the meaning of new terms you have never seen before, everyday activities can turn into a fun, engaging lesson. This may encourage curiosity in your child and connect their education with real-life experiences. Activities like these can show that learning is not limited in school, it happens all around us.
Every Friday, my family and I make it a point to have an interactive day with my little brother. No matter where we are, whether in the car or at home – we play songs that teach him about the continents, like the 54 countries of Africa. We’ve allowed him to find learning in everything around us, calling out the colors we see on the road and engaging with his environment. Even at his young age, we have successfully expanded his horizons.

Q. How can you discover your child’s interest?
A: Understanding your child’s interests can help you make learning more engaging for them and create a closer connection. See what motivates them, whether it’s STEAM (Science, Technology, Arts, and Mathematics), music, sports, or animals, and incorporate their interest into their education. You can find a free activity to participate in so they can learn more like Art in Bloom at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts or visiting the Como Conservatory. Or, you can introduce a new experience and learn together at home like knitting or painting. Encouraging children to be excited about education at home significantly improves a child’s academic performance and fosters a passion for learning.
My mother recognized my love for comics and encouraged me to engage with different genres of books through hands-on visual learning. As an older sister, I noticed that my little brother enjoys being involved in the learning process. Therefore, I took the initiative to create an environment for him where he can be hands-on with everything around him, whether in our home or in the community.
All it takes is the initiative to take an interest in what young people enjoy and what they are naturally curous about. As their first educators, we are responsible for making a positive difference in their lives. You can begin by simply asking your child what their interests are and taking it from there to create a fun way to get excited about learning.

A call to action
A “first educator” refers to the fundamental primary role that parents and caregivers play in a person’s early development and education. They instill essential life skills, morals, and behaviors. By incorporating hands-on learning into daily life, first educators can help children develop important literacy skills, emotional intelligence, and social understanding.
Through her organization, Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute, Dr. Artika Tyner offers resources to foster literacy and education.