Learning is an essential component of life, especially in academic journey for children. Even though it appears to be quite a simple process, it is very complicated and complex. In fact, if the learning of children is planned in an effective manner, it can produce satiable and desired results. Meanwhile, if it is not planned properly, it can limit the learning and growth of children severely. In this paper, first of all, there will an explanation about how anxiety and dependency affect children, then there will be a discussion about factors which contribute to them, and lastly there will be a description of all the researchers who have identified these factors and what they have deemed to be necessary to promote learning motivation and encourage children to learn in an effective manner (Cadima, Leal, & Burchinal, 2010).

Anxiety of Children and Learning

In general, anxiety is the feeling of apprehension or fear for what is about to be experienced. Although anxiety does not appear to be a serious problem, it can have serious long-term influence and effects on people, in particular children. If anxiety is identified and treated from the very start, children can overcome this hurdle and they can learn in an effective manner. It has been determined by Filce & LaVergne (2015) that anxiety limits the potential of students. It causes them to be nervous and fearful whenever they are about to perform something. For instance, if a teacher encourages children to stand up and answer, only a few hands will be raised. Most of the students who do not raise their hands have anxiety. They fear that if their answer is wrong, they will be ridiculed and punished by the teacher. In fact, some students do not volunteer just because they fear that their response might not be accurate.

Anxiety limits the learning potential of a child significantly. For instance, if a child fears volunteering and participating in class activities, he will not only lose his confidence but will also not acquire the learning material as effectively as other children. It will result in the lack of knowledge of the child. In addition to it, it will cause the child to have lower grades than other children. In the long-term, the effects of this anxiety can be even devastating. For instance, it can even cause the child to distance himself from others just because he fears that he might be ridiculed (Filce & LaVergne, 2015).

Dependence of Children and Learning

A common problem among students, especially children is that they depend on their teachers for most of their tasks. Actually, dependence on the teacher is not an adverse practice. However, overdependence on the instructor can significantly limit the growth of the child. Let’s suppose that there is a student who is unable to understand something from the lecture. He is unable to do his homework due to it. Therefore, he goes to his teacher and asks for clarification. This is not adversely influential to the student at all. On the other hand, let’s suppose that the same kid continues to ask his teacher to clarify the concepts and help him in his homework.

Overdependence on teachers and instructors can cause children to lose their own potential and self-confidence. For instance, if students continue to ask teachers to help them, they will believe that they are unable to do their homework and only their teachers can do it for them. In addition to it, they will begin to question their abilities and skills. Self-confidence is more than just a little important for a student, especially if the student is a child because it causes and encourages the student to attempt the task by himself without having to rely on the teacher. Similar to anxiety, overdependence has a great negative influence on children in the long term. In every challenge, they will believe that they are incapable of overcoming the challenge. For instance, if they need to take a major step in their lives, they will believe that they need assistance with it and they cannot do it alone (Alexander, 2010).

Factors of Children and Learning

Actually, there are various factors which contribute to the development of anxiety and dependence among children. In this section, these factors will be identified.

Parental Involvement and Habits of Children and Learning

One of the major factors which contribute to the development of anxiety and overdependence among children involves the involvement and habits of their parents. Before teachers, children learn from their parents and if their parents continue to make children fear school, it contributes significantly to the lack of confidence among children and their anxiety. For instance, if parents tell children that attending school is difficult, it is highly possible that children might come to believe it. Similarly, if parents do not encourage children to participate in different activities, it causes them to develop anxiety and overdependence. Therefore, it is important for parents to ensure that they are not negatively guiding their children. Instead of guiding them negatively, it is important for parents to encourage children to participate in class activities.

Learning Environment of Children and Learning

Another important factor which contributes significantly to the development of anxiety and overconfidence among children is learning material. In general, learning environment refers to the regulations and norms which determine the climate of the classroom. If the learning environment in the classroom is not positive and it does not encourage children then it is highly possible that children might develop anxiety and overdependence. An example can be taken from a classroom in which making mistakes is considered an issue and students are punished for it. It will cause students to refrain from making mistakes which means that they will stop participating in the class activities. In the long term, it will cause students to refrain from taking a part in every major event or activity because they will believe that they might make a mistake and they will be laughed at because of it. Therefore, it is more than just a little important for the learning environment to be positive and encouraging for students because it will develop motivation among them for learning (Waite, 2017).

Teacher Behaviour of Children and Learning

The behaviour of teacher in the class is an important factor which contributes to the development of anxiety and overdependence among children. For instance, if the teacher poses himself to be a strict person who does not prefer students making mistakes then it will serve to develop fear among students. It will also cause them to not participate in different class activities. In contrast with this behaviour, if a teacher has a positive attitude in the class and always encourage students to take part in different class activities and sessions then it will serve to not only improve their learning motivation but it will also cause them to develop confidence in their skills and abilities. In the long term, it will make them more confident in taking challenges and overcoming them (Stipek, Feiler, Daniels, & Milburn, 1995).

Important Scholars of Children and Learning

Lev Vygotsky is quite an important scholar who has contributed to the determination of factors which can enhance and improve the learning of children. He was the social constructivist and psychologist. He created Zone of Proximal Development, a theory which determines that children should be supervised only to a certain extent. If this boundary line is crossed then the child will develop overdependence and will lose his confidence in his abilities and skills. Therefore, as the adult guides the student, he should eventually leave the student or child and limit his assistance. This will ensure that overdependence is not created within the child.

Another important scholar is Piaget who developed the theory of cognitive development. According to this theory, children seem to interact with their surroundings and through it, they develop critical thinking. Therefore, it can be said that intelligence is not a fixed trait but it depends significantly on the surroundings and the learning environment of children. James Paul Gee is yet another important scholar who has contributed significantly to determination of factors which serve to improve the learning and acquisition of knowledge among children. Some of these principles include customise, well-ordered, and identity. When it comes to the development of a learning environment, these principles should be incorporated in it to ensure that such a learning environment is created which is capable of improving the learning process among children and facilitating the process of knowledge acquisition (Shabani, Khatib, & Ebadi, 2010).

Conclusion of Children and Learning

Overall, it can be said that learning is an essential component of life, especially in academic journey for children. Even though it appears to be quite a simple process, it is very complicated and complex. Anxiety and overdependence are two factors which limit the progress of students and cause them to not acquire the intended learning material. One of the major factors which contribute to the development of anxiety and overdependence among children involves the involvement and habits of their parents. The behaviour of teacher in the class is an important factor which contributes to the development of anxiety and overdependence among children. Another important factor which contributes significantly to the development of anxiety and overconfidence among children is learning material. They need to be considered to improve the learning process.

References of Children and Learning

Alexander, R. (2010). Children, their world, their education. Final report and recommendations of the Cambridge Primary Review.

Cadima, J., Leal, T., & Burchinal, M. (2010). The quality of teacher–student interactions: Associations with first graders' academic and behavioral outcomes. Journal of School Psychology, 48(6), 457-482.

Filce, H. G., & LaVergne, L. (2015). Absenteeism, educational plans, and anxiety among children with incontinence and their parents. Journal of School Health, 85(4), 241-250.

Shabani, K., Khatib, M., & Ebadi, S. (2010). Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development: Instructional Implications and Teachers' Professional Development. English language teaching, 3(4), 237-248.

Stipek, D., Feiler, R., Daniels, D., & Milburn, S. (1995). Effects of different instructional approaches on young children's achievement and motivation. Child development, 66(1), 209-223.

Waite, S. (2017). Children learning outside the classroom: From birth to eleven. Sage.