Relevance: The Spark That Makes Learning Come Alive
When play meets learning, growth happens naturally.
I want to share something that has been on my mind after a recent call with an entrepreneur who is working to design a new curriculum model. In that conversation, one idea rose to the top, and it is something I have carried with me for years as both a teacher and a lifelong learner.
The most powerful learning happens when it feels relevant to our lives.
Think about your own experience. When you learned something that truly stuck with you, chances are it connected to your world in a meaningful way. Maybe it solved a problem you were facing, helped you take better care of your family, or simply made sense because it related to your daily routines. That connection is what gave it staying power.
Children and adolescents are no different. In fact, they are often the best proof of this truth. A child is far more likely to grasp a math problem when it mirrors a real choice, like figuring out the price of a snack or how long it will take to get to a friend’s house. A teenager is more engaged in science when it relates to their phone battery, the energy behind their favorite game, or even the weather they notice outside their window.
This is where great educators shine. They do not only teach content. They listen. They pay attention to what matters most to their students, and then they build lessons that connect. That simple act of connection is what turns passive learners into curious explorers. It is what sparks the questions that lead to deeper growth.
And this applies outside of school as well. As parents, grandparents, and caregivers, we have daily opportunities to nurture curiosity. When we connect new ideas to what our children already know and care about, we make learning feel alive. We show them that knowledge is not something separate from life. It is part of life.
Relevance is not a minor detail. It is the spark that ignites the flame. It turns information into curiosity, and curiosity into transformation.
So the next time you are helping a child with homework, guiding a teenager through a tough question, or even learning something new yourself, start by asking: How does this connect to what really matters right now?
That simple question is where meaningful learning begins.
If you are a parent or caregiver who wants to explore this idea further, I would love to stay connected. You are welcome to subscribe here on LeighWilliam.com for more reflections, or reach out directly if you would like support in nurturing the psychology of learning in your home.
