For kids, learning and fun go hand-in-hand

Fun and learning can both be achieved and defined in many different ways, but there's no denying there is a special connection between the two. Every day, kids are learning inside and outside of classrooms, through reading, writing, hands-on activities, the arts, and more. How can teachers and parents help support kids in achieving academic success? The answer is simple - make sure kids are having fun.

The importance of fun in learning is clear to parents - as many as 93 percent say they believe kids perform better in school when they're having fun, according to a recent online survey sponsored by Totino's. Parents also believe having fun in school leads to improved self-esteem, a desire to learn, activity and general excitement about the school day. For anyone who's ever played a game with a young child, it's easy to see that they pick things up quickly when they're enjoying themselves. Even educators trained to look for the best ways to help kids learn find that fun is essential.

Gerald Richards, CEO of 826 National, a nonprofit that encourages collaboration and creativity in the learning process, sees firsthand the importance of fun in and outside of the classroom. "It's both amazing and encouraging that something as simple as 'fun' plays an essential role in making the learning process more enriching. By infusing creative, interactive, and hands-on elements into lesson plans, kids can become more engaged with the learning and be more successful in school," Richards says.

Unfortunately, according to the online survey, nearly one-third of parents don't feel their kids' schools prioritize fun during the school day. Whether you want to plan fun at-home learning activities or advocate for extra emphasis on fun in your child's school, consider these tips from Richards to help encourage fun learning.

* Encourage creativity. Encourage creativity in every subject area and project, including writing, drawing, science, and even math exercises. Kids need to know that there's not always a right answer; sometimes, education is subjective and experimental.

* Take field trips. Learning doesn't always have to take place within school walls - field trips are a great way to make learning fun. Venturing beyond school boundaries for a hands-on activity excites students and can help spark, or reinvigorate, a passion for learning. If the school is on a tight budget and can't afford field trips, teachers should consider taking "mini" field trips to the school library or auditorium for a change of scenery and new lesson; parents and teachers can also seek out easy and creative ways to earn additional funds for the school with programs such as Box Tops for Education - a program that has helped America's schools earn more than $400 million in support since 1996.

* Spend time outside. Time outdoors, be it for recess or after-school activities, allows kids to explore the world outside the classroom and is often where lifelong lessons are learned. Taking a break outdoors during the school day - even if it's just having lunch outside - allows kids to recharge and has been shown to help enhance concentration and learning in the classroom.

This school year, Totino's is advocating for learning through fun with its "Learn a Ton When School is Fun" sweepstakes, which will award four lucky schools $25,000 each in the form of 250,000 Bonus Box Tops for Education. Through programs like this, parents and teachers can help bring fun projects to life that otherwise might not be possible due to resource and funding limitations. Through Oct. 3, 2011, consumers can visit www.BTFE.com/Totinos to enter daily for the chance to win.

You can be sure your kids will always be in favor of having fun, both at school and at home. The good news is, as you're giving them opportunities to do things they'll enjoy, you're also helping to build on their education.