about how the people that get to dig up dinosaur bones first had to go to college to learn all about dinosaurs. If a chi
LAUSD – GATE Parents, Exposing Kids to College Opportunities Discussing the opportunities that a higher education can provide is an important step in preparing children for college. Simply put, a college education is the gateway to opportunity in life, and the sooner children understand that the more willing they will be to put in the hard work required to achieve their goals. The opportunities that a college education provides can be relayed to children of all ages by showing them just what going to college and do for one's life. For example, a teacher may talk about how the people that get to dig up dinosaur bones first had to go to college to learn all about dinosaurs. If a child is interested in outer space, discuss how scientists and astronauts go to college to learn about space so they can go out and explore the universe. A child's enthusiasms are the perfect portal to a discussion about the possibilities that can be made real with a college education. Use their interests and passions to launch a talk about their future in college.
Take Advantage of Campus Visits One of the best ways to interest children in college, is to take them to a nearby campus. Many universities provide campus tours and visiting days on which a staff member will guide a grade school class, or other group of children, around the campus and explain the unique and exciting things they can do when they grow up and go to college. Parents can also schedule outings with their children to the college or university from which they graduated. Children love to question their parents about what it was like when they were in school, and this is a good opportunity to talk about the classes and activities that are available at a university. The important thing is to make college sound interesting, exciting and accessible. Instilling a love of learning and an interest in education at a young age can work wonders in increasing a child's motivation, and providing them with a direction for their lives. Above all it is important to make a college education seem accessible to all students. Encourage, do not lecture, and don't wait to start talking about college until your child is finishing high school. Begin discussing the possibilities and rewards of a college education with your children when they are young, eager and open to the endless possibilities that a college education can provide.
