Many parents want to help teach their children to learn the three R's, but are put off when their kids show little interest. The problem is that parents are trying to impose their own ideas about learning onto their kids. Children, in turn, are very sensitive to adult intentions and react to a parent's claim that "This will be good for you" with a giant "YUCK!" So parents need to go really slowly when trying to interest a child in something new.
If the child shows a burst of enthusiasm, it's a natural reaction for a parent to want to milk it for all it's worth, yet one must be delicate in such a situation, and let the child's own enthusiasm determine the next step. Otherwise, a parent's direction can squelch a budding interest before it's even gotten started.
For example, let's say your child comes in one evening, all excited about seeing the stars. You react the next day by buying him several astronomy books and insisting he read them. This is definitely overkill. A more appropriate next step would be to go out with him and watch the stars together. If he wants to learn more, then go to a library, find a book, and read it together.
Remember to proceed one step at a time and take your cues from your child.
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