Why Teaching Kids How to Learn is More Important Than What to Learn

What if I told you the greatest skill your child could ever learn isn’t math, reading, or science? It’s how to learn itself! If they know how to learn, they can explore any subject, master any skill, and chase any dream. They’ll never feel stuck, and they’ll never have to wait for permission to pursue their interests. Their future boss with love them too! An employee who can think for themselves is absolute gold.

One of the best compliments I ever received was when someone once said to me, “You know what I’ve noticed about your kids? When they want to learn something new, they just go for it—no hesitation. But when I want to learn something new, I hesitate. I feel like I need a course or a teacher. Your kids? They dive in.”

This is the ultimate homeschool superpower—raising kids who are curious, confident, and unstoppable learners. Here’s how to foster a thirst for knowledge that will last a lifetime.

1. Teach Them Independence

When my eldest two boys were younger they wanted to build a bridge across the drainage creek just outside our back fence. They would have been all of about 12 and 10 years old. I asked them to draw up their plans and make a list of materials. Of course it also had to be safe. I drove them to the local hardware store. They were in charge. They had to take the lead and find people who could assist them with what they needed. Once they found what materials they needed they also had to ask the right person to cut their wood to the correct length. They brought their wood home and got to work. The construction was completed under minimal guidance, as long as they were safe. Of course, numerous adjustments were made as they needed to adapt their original plan.

Can you see how many subjects were covered in this one activity? Not only was it teaching them to be confident and independent, it also taught them how to solve problems by trail and error.

2. Know How to Research

In the digital age, information is everywhere—but knowing how to find reliable information is a skill in itself. Teach your kids how to:

- Use libraries, books, and trusted online sources.

- Ask good questions and dig deeper.

- Experiment, test, and explore their own conclusions.

- Let them make mistakes - sometimes it's the best way to learn.

Encourage them to follow their curiosity. They won't even realise they are being a researcher. Want to start a YouTube channel? Research the best way! Flipping cameras on Facebook? Go for it! You want a pet snake? What?! Ok...but don't expect me to give it any cuddles.

These are all things my kids have actually asked me over the years.

No gatekeeping knowledge here—we live in a world where they can teach themselves nearly anything.

3. Be a Critical Thinker

Teaching kids how to think is more important than teaching them what to think. Critical thinking helps them:

- Analyse information logically.

- Spot misinformation and bias.

- Solve problems creatively.

- Think independently instead of blindly accepting information.

Make discussions part of your homeschool. Ask, “What do you think?” instead of giving answers. Let them debate, question, and form their own ideas. A thinking child is a powerful child.

If you want assistance with teaching your child to be a critical thinker Julie Bogart has a book which is specially written for homeschoolers called, Raising Critical Thinkers.

4. Don't Be Held Back by Feeling Inadequate

The biggest barrier to learning is the belief that “I can’t do this.” Your child should never feel like something is too hard or too out of reach. Remember the process is more important than the product.

- Normalise mistakes as part of learning.

- Celebrate effort, not just results.

- Encourage them to try first, research second.

- Let them know more than you! When they teach you something it is helping them to learn their subject better.

They don’t need to wait until they’re an “expert” to get started. Learning by doing is the best way!

5. Passionate learners are lifelong learners.

When kids are excited about a subject, they’ll devour knowledge like it’s their favourite snack.

I never thought we’d let my 11-year-old start his own YouTube channel, or drive my son across the city to buy an awesome camera just to flip it a short time later, or watch my 18-year-old get his motorbike license. But when they developed these passions, I challenged them to do the research. They had to learn everything inside and out—considering the pros and cons, understanding the responsibilities, and making informed decisions. Once they showed they were prepared, I let them take the leap.

• Support their interests, no matter how niche.

• Give them time and space to deep-dive into topics.

• Connect learning to real-world applications.

A child who is encouraged to follow their curiosity will never lose their love for learning. And isn’t that the whole point of homeschooling?

Final Thoughts: The World is Their Classroom

If your kids know how to learn, they’ll never feel limited. They can teach themselves anything, follow any dream, and create a life they love.

So let them explore, let them experiment, and most importantly—let them believe that they can.

If you have high schoolers and want some help to teach them about research skills I've written a book about how to give them the best start in life. This book has information on what research is, checklists, process planning sheets, research logs and currently it's only $9!