Did you ever stop to think about how you learn? Chances are good you spend a lot of time thinking about, and planning for, how the children in your group learn. But knowing how you learn is important, too!
Most of us learn well when we “do.” Think about it. Have you ever tried a new recipe? Well, you had a “do” something when you prepared the new dish. You had to read the recipe but then you had to purchase the ingredients, prepare the ingredients and then read the recipe in order to make the dish.
And … while preparing the dish … you might have had questions. In today’s world, many of us use recipes available online that often have comments and/or question sections we can explore for answers to our questions.
Finally, after preparing the new dish, you get the satisfaction of eating it. At this point, there is always a reflection. Did it turn out like it was supposed to? Do I like it as much as I thought I would? If I made this dish again, what would I do differently? More seasoning? Less seasoning? Cook longer?
Children are NO different when it comes to how they learn. They need to “do” in order to learn. Coloring a worksheet is not “doing.” Watching a long video is not “doing.” But exploring materials, playing freely and making discoveries IS doing. Asking questions is a part of the process as well. Children must feel safe and respected when asking questions so they will continue to ask them.
Additionally, you can help children reflect upon what they are learning by asking open-ended questions while watching and engaging with children. Open-ended questions start with words like, “What…” and “Why…” For instance, “What happened when you…?” or “Why do you think the ….?” and “How would you do that differently the next time?”
How do you learn? How do children learn? In many of the same ways! Keep this in mind when planning experiences for children but also when learning new things yourself.
