Why Children Learn Better The Earlier They Begin
This is a collaborative post
In the first five years of life, the brain develops faster than at any other time of life. Research shows that the brain connections that link a person’s neurons are formed during these years, and at least one million new neural connections are made per second, a rate of growth that is far faster than at any other time of life. These early years are crucial.
How do children learn?
Interactions with adults are essential when it comes to the wiring of the brain during these years. The “serve and return” process of interacting helps to build these new connections in the brain. Talking, singing, reading, and playing with young children all help them learn.
Plenty of research shows that babies who experience more of these positive experiences go on to be more successful in school and life generally, while the opposite tends to be true of those that don’t.
Young children also develop their abilities to speak and reason through their senses. This means that the more objects and materials they have access to, the more they can learn how to test out theories, make decisions, find solutions to challenges and problem-solve.
How do adults learn?
As we grow up, our ability to learn changes in line with certain brain changes. The first major change happens around age 12 when puberty kicks in and causes the brain to prioritise keeping information that has already been learnt over making new connections.
Then, around the age of 25, the brain solidifies and becomes less flexible than it used to be. It becomes more habitual and because it has so many pathways already developed, it will tend to be selective and choose the easiest pathways to follow.
While children’s newness to the world inspires them to take an interest in anything and everything as adults we tend to find certain teaching methods more beneficial. According to “adult learning theory” (developed in 1968 by Malcolm Knowles), there are some key ways in which adult learners — classified as anyone over age 25 — differ from youngsters).
Adult learners tend to be more goal-orientated, picking up a course because it helps them obtain something that will complement a certain career path. They are also more independent and bring life experiences with them that can be shared in class.
What else helps children learn faster?
In addition to the advantage afforded to children by their stage of brain development, children also benefit from having much more free time than adults which can be spent learning. And when we say learning, we’re including time spent at home playing with toys that harness their motor and creativity skills, not just time spent in formal education.
If your child starts expressing specific interests as they get older, it’s a good idea to be tuned into it and kit them out with toys and materials that help them to further those interests, such as these starter tinkering kits for the child with a scientific interest and a practical, hands-on mindset.
New skills can be acquired at any stage of life if someone is interested enough and motivated to learn. But there’s no denying the fact that it’s smart to take advantage of the early years, engaging a child in plenty of fun learning opportunities while their brain is in an optimal state for learning more new things, and faster!
Read more posts in the Parenting Category