How to Improve a Child's Learning Environment

Create a reading area in the home, in the bedroom, playroom or living room, that is filled with age appropriate books for your child to explore and read. Add books that you can read to your child, as well as ones she can just flip through to look at the pictures. Board books are perfect for babies and toddlers who do not know how to gently handle books yet. A bean bag chair or a child size recliner offers a comfy place to read and explore those books. Take weekly trips to the library to keep a variety of books on hand. Most importantly, read to your child every day, and as he gets older, have him read to you.

Fill your home with age appropriate toys, such as building blocks, puzzles and trucks. Include a globe and hang maps on the walls. Display posters of U.S. presidents, national parks and currency. If room is limited, switch the posters out on occasion. Also, create an outdoor environment that provides places for your child to swing, jump, dig and play.

Allow your child to help you with the chores so she learns valuable life skills starting at a young age. Incorporate other subject areas during this time as well. For example, your child can learn math concepts, such as 2 pints equals 1 quart, while learning to cook. When you're doing the laundry, talk about how people used to clean their clothes before washing machines and what tools they used. Let your child try her hand at hanging a picture and teach her about studs and home construction in the process.

Limit your child's television, video game, computer and phone time to no more than two hours a day. Children under 2 years old should ideally have zero screen time a day. "Educational programs" do not improve child development, states the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health. Replace these activities with reading, board games, outdoor time, imaginative play and puzzles. Excessive amounts of electronic or screen time can cause several problems in children, including attention problems, depression, anxiety and school difficulties. Be a good role model and limit your electronics time as well.

Maintain rules in the home, and have set routines. Also, praise your child often to encourage desirable behaviors and to compliment her on him efforts. For example, if your child writes a story, point out the things you like in the story and tell him you're proud of him for being so creative. Challenge and encourage him to learn and do more, including suggesting details that your child could add to that story to make it even more interesting. Set high expectations and help your child achieve them as well. Go over the words he spelled incorrectly and go over the sentence structures with him. You can then have your little writer type up his story on the computer and add pictures.

Encourage your children to express themselves through art. Provide materials, such as paints and modeling clay, for your children regularly. Keep crayons and paper on hand for everyday play.

Talk to your children throughout the day. Sing songs and say rhymes together. Tell stories, embellishing them into tall tales. Encourage your children to use their imagination to tell stories as well. Also, ask your kids questions throughout the day. For example, when you put chicken in the oven, ask her, "How long should I set the timer?" Encourage her to ask you questions as well.