Support Their Interests, Even If They’re Not Yours
Educational success begins by making connections.
📸 Pictured here are my son Alex and my daughter Katie during one of our college visits. The photo was taken on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) campus, in front of Building 33, also called the Daniel Guggenheim Aeronautical Laboratory. MIT is a school that inspires us to dream big and stay curious. Moments like these remind me that raising educationally focused children is less about pressure and more about connection, support, and planting seeds early.
“The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice.”
— Peggy O’Mara
Raising a child who values learning doesn't happen overnight. It’s the result of intentional choices, consistent habits, and a home environment that celebrates growth, curiosity, and discipline. As a mom who raised educationally driven kids, I’m sharing the practical steps that worked for our family—starting from infancy through high school. Think of this as your roadmap, with links to more detailed blog posts coming soon.
1. Start with Secure Attachment: The Foundation for Learning
Before your child ever steps into a classroom, their very first “teacher” is you. The emotional bond between parent and child is the cornerstone of all future development—academic, social, and emotional.
Inspired by the groundbreaking work of John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth, we focused first on building a secure attachment. That meant consistently responding to our babies’ cues, offering comfort, and being emotionally available. Research shows that securely attached children are:
-
More confident and exploratory
-
Better able to handle frustration and stress
-
More socially adept
-
More successful in school
In our home, that looked like:
-
Skin-to-skin contact in the early weeks
-
Eye contact and responsiveness during feeding and play
-
Holding our babies when they cried—no questions asked
-
Using babywearing and co-regulation to build closeness
-
Prioritizing connection over “independence” in the early years
We didn’t worry about “spoiling.” We focused on security. And we saw the payoff—our children entered school ready to explore, connect, and learn.
🔗 Coming soon: “Why Attachment Theory is the Hidden Key to Academic Success”
2. Create a Language-Rich Home
Talk, sing, and read constantly. Narrate your day. Ask questions even if your baby can’t answer yet. Our kids grew up surrounded by books, storytelling, and kitchen-table conversations—and it paid off.
🔗 Coming soon: “How to Build Vocabulary Before Preschool”
3. Choose Learning-Enriched Environments
We enrolled our children in a Montessori preschool that emphasized hands-on learning, independence, and curiosity. It wasn’t about getting ahead—it was about building confidence and a love for discovery. Even if Montessori isn’t an option, choose environments that focus on process over performance.
🔗 Coming soon: “How to Be a Learning Role Model as a Parent”
4. Model a Love of Learning
Kids mirror what they see. Whether I was reading a novel, watching a documentary, or asking “why?” alongside them, they knew curiosity didn’t stop at graduation. We made learning a lifestyle.
🔗 Coming soon: “How to Be a Learning Role Model as a Parent”
5. Set High (But Loving) Expectations
From an early age, we made it clear that school mattered—but effort mattered more. Praise persistence over perfection. Celebrate improvement. Let your child know you believe in their potential.
🔗 Coming soon: “Raising Kids Who Strive: Encouraging Growth Mindsets at Home”
6. Establish Routines and Habits Early
Bedtime, reading time, and homework time weren’t negotiable—they were part of life. Children thrive when they know what to expect. Structure gives them the freedom to succeed.
🔗 Coming soon: “Creating Family Routines That Foster Academic Success”
7. Support Their Interests, Even If They’re Not Yours
All three of our kids love science, one lives for history, our oldest loves drawing, and our youngest loves sculpting. We feed their passions with books, museum trips, and enrichment programs. Passion is a natural motivator—lean into it.
📎 Read the full post: Support Their Interests, Even If They’re Not Yours
🔗 Coming soon: “Letting Kids Lead: Encouraging Individual Learning Interests”
8. Partner with Teachers and Schools
Be visible. Attend events. Email teachers. Volunteer when you can. Your child sees your investment—and so do the educators supporting them.
🔗 Coming soon: “How to Build Strong Parent-Teacher Relationships”
9. Teach Responsibility and Independence
Start small. Let them pack their own backpack, manage their assignments, or set goals. The earlier kids feel capable, the sooner they’ll take ownership of their learning.
🔗 Coming soon: “From Helicopter to Coach: Helping Kids Own Their Education”
10. Celebrate Progress, Not Just Achievements
Report cards matter—but so does growth. We celebrated milestones like improved handwriting, reading a tough book, or finally mastering multiplication. Every win built confidence.
🔗 Coming soon: “Why Small Wins Matter: Celebrating Progress in Learning”
Final Thoughts
Every child is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all blueprint for academic success. But with intention, love, and consistency, you can raise a child who sees education as an exciting lifelong journey—not just a box to check.
Bookmark this post! I’ll be adding links to each of these topics in the coming weeks with more personal stories, strategies, and tools you can use.
Want to make sure you don’t miss those deep dives?
📬 Subscribe to our newsletter for updates and parenting tips!