In some circles, adults encourage children to learn by “making it fun.”  I think this is a bad practice, and an insult to children’s intelligence.  Children in the habit of being entertained, or having tasks sugar-coated become accustomed to passivity, and demand little of themselves.  Furthermore, they know the difference between an accomplishment achieved through their own efforts, and time spent in routine tasks made lively by intention or with a view to entertaining them.

“Fun” should not be the criterion for assessing an activity’s value.  First, not everyone agrees on what is “fun,” and tastes change quickly.  Second, “fun” promotes a taste for instant gratification, and does little to develop discipline.  Instead of fun in the learning situation, I propose that we encourage activities that lead to a feeling of satisfaction.  This yields a deeper sense of accomplishment, and the acquisition of skills. Here’s an item from a google search on “fun vs. satisfaction.”

“…difficult activities generate a sense of meaning, importance, and some ineffable feeling … more transcendent than moment-to-moment ‘happiness,’ not despite their difficult-ness, but because of it.  … Going through a challenge brings a sense of reward, contentment, pride, and amazement that I don’t usually find in something that just plops itself neatly into my lap.” (www.magdalen.blogs.com, 7/15/10)

Here’s another, how an engineering school improved student retention by changing their first-year program.  Said the writers of the study:  “… When a [engineering] problem was introduced, it tended to be inane and trivial—with an emphasis of having ‘fun.’  However, toy problems do not induce nearly as much fun or satisfaction as the sense of accomplishment derived from solving a real engineering problem.” (American Society for Engineering Education, 2009; luisdasilva.files.wordpress.com/2011)

This does not mean that learning should be devoid of joy – quite the contrary.  Joy arises out of a sense of wellbeing despite difficulties, of strength in the face of obstacles.  Many want to spare their children the need to make effort, when effort is what they need in order to become strong.  We do the most for our children by accompanying them in their challenges.  I love to see the face of a child who successfully tackles a daunting task.  In doing so, the child risks failure and embarrassment.  Seeking “fun” deprives them of the opportunity for satisfaction at overcoming a difficulty.  It is a poor substitute for healthy growth.

I heard something interesting about a youth-serving non-profit organization and its approach to the various “market segments” of today’s youth.  Those responsible for promotion find that their traditional marketing to mainstream Americans must be altered for the Asian market.  Rather than stress the “fun” of their programs, they emphasize “how much your child will learn” when marketing to the Asian population.  Is it any wonder that Asian students take so many year-end awards in schools?  Notice your schools’ activities.  Are your children truly being challenged?