How Children Learn

1. Children are natural learners, driven by curiosity and exploration

Children have a style of learning that fits their condition, and which they use naturally and well until we train them out of it.

Innate learning ability. Children are born with an incredible capacity to learn about the world around them. They possess an insatiable curiosity that drives them to explore, experiment, and make sense of their environment. This natural learning style is highly effective, allowing children to acquire vast amounts of knowledge and skills in their early years without formal instruction.

Self-directed learning. Young children demonstrate remarkable persistence and focus when engaged in activities that interest them. They are capable of setting their own challenges, adjusting the difficulty level as they progress, and deriving satisfaction from their accomplishments. This self-directed approach to learning is evident in how children:

• Ask countless questions about their surroundings
• Repeat actions and experiments to confirm their understanding
• Seek out new experiences and information
• Apply knowledge gained in one context to novel situations

Importance of preserving natural learning. Unfortunately, traditional educational methods often suppress this innate learning style, replacing it with more rigid and less effective approaches. To maximize children's potential, we must recognize and nurture their natural learning abilities, creating environments that support and encourage their inherent curiosity and drive to understand the world.

2. Fantasy and play are essential tools for children's learning and development

Children use fantasy not to get out of, but to get into, the real world.

Bridging imagination and reality. Fantasy and play serve as crucial bridges between children's inner world and the external reality they are trying to understand. Through imaginative play, children:

• Process and make sense of their experiences
• Experiment with different roles and scenarios
• Develop problem-solving skills
• Enhance their social and emotional understanding

Learning through pretend play. When children engage in pretend play, they are not escaping reality but actively working to comprehend it. For example:

• A child pretending to be a doctor is exploring concepts of health, care, and human anatomy
• Playing "house" allows children to practice social interactions and understand family dynamics
• Building imaginary cities with blocks helps develop spatial reasoning and planning skills

Importance of unstructured play. Allowing children ample time for unstructured, imaginative play is crucial for their cognitive, social, and emotional development. Adults should resist the urge to overly direct or structure children's play, instead providing a safe environment and rich materials that support creative exploration.

3. Traditional schooling often hinders natural learning processes

We make much too much of the difficulties of learning to read. Teachers may say, "But reading must be difficult, or so many children wouldn't have trouble with it." I say that it is because we assume that it is so difficult that so many children have trouble with it.

Artificial obstacles to learning. Traditional schooling methods often create unnecessary barriers to learning by:

• Breaking down subjects into isolated, context-free fragments
• Imposing rigid timelines and expectations for skill acquisition
• Relying heavily on rote memorization and drills
• Emphasizing testing and grading over understanding and application

Negative impacts on motivation. These approaches can have detrimental effects on children's natural enthusiasm for learning:

• Anxiety and fear of failure
• Loss of confidence in their own abilities
• Decreased intrinsic motivation to explore and learn
• Development of avoidance strategies rather than genuine engagement

Alternative approaches. To support natural learning processes, educational environments should:

• Allow for self-paced exploration of interconnected concepts
• Provide meaningful contexts for skill development
• Encourage questioning and experimentation
• Focus on fostering understanding rather than memorization
• Minimize anxiety-inducing evaluations and comparisons

4. Effective learning requires hands-on experience and "messing about"

There is a time, much greater in amount than commonly allowed, which should be devoted to free and unguided exploratory work (call it play if you wish; I call it work).

Importance of exploration. Children learn best when given the opportunity to engage directly with materials and concepts, rather than being passively instructed. This hands-on approach allows them to:

• Develop a concrete understanding of abstract ideas
• Discover patterns and relationships through trial and error
• Build confidence in their ability to solve problems
• Cultivate a sense of ownership over their learning

"Messing about" as a learning strategy. Unstructured exploration time, or "messing about," is crucial for deep learning. During this process:

• Children follow their own curiosity and interests
• They make unexpected discoveries and connections
• Mistakes and "failures" become valuable learning experiences
• Complex concepts are internalized through repeated exposure and manipulation

Creating environments for exploration. To support this type of learning, adults should:

• Provide a variety of rich, open-ended materials
• Allow ample time for uninterrupted exploration
• Resist the urge to over-explain or direct children's activities
• Be available to answer questions and offer support when requested

5. Children learn best when given freedom to choose their activities

If you once let children evolve their own learning along paths of their choosing, you then must see it through and maintain the individuality of their work.

Intrinsic motivation. When children have the freedom to choose their activities, they are more likely to be intrinsically motivated to learn. This leads to:

• Deeper engagement with the subject matter
• Greater persistence in the face of challenges
• More creative and innovative approaches to problem-solving
• A stronger sense of ownership over their learning

Diverse learning paths. Allowing children to follow their interests results in:

• A wider range of topics and skills being explored
• Unexpected connections between different areas of knowledge
• Development of unique strengths and talents
• A more holistic and integrated understanding of the world

Supporting self-directed learning. To facilitate this approach:

• Provide a rich and varied learning environment
• Offer guidance and resources when requested
• Help children reflect on their learning and set goals
• Encourage collaboration and sharing of discoveries

6. Adults should trust children's abilities and avoid excessive interference

All I am saying in this book can be summed up in two words—Trust Children. Nothing could be more simple—or more difficult.

Respecting children's competence. Children are often far more capable than adults give them credit for. By trusting in their abilities, we:

• Boost their confidence and self-esteem
• Encourage them to take on challenges
• Allow them to develop problem-solving skills
• Foster independence and self-reliance

Dangers of over-intervention. Excessive adult interference can:

• Undermine children's natural learning processes
• Create dependency and insecurity
• Stifle creativity and initiative
• Instill a fear of making mistakes

Balancing support and autonomy. To effectively support children's learning:

• Provide a safe and stimulating environment
• Be available for help and guidance when asked
• Allow children to make and learn from their own mistakes
• Resist the urge to "rescue" children from productive struggles

7. Reading and writing develop naturally when children are immersed in meaningful contexts

If we begin by helping children feel that writing and reading are ways of talking to and reaching other people, we will not have to bribe and bully them into acquiring the skills; they will want them for what they do with them.

Natural literacy development. When surrounded by a rich literate environment, children often develop reading and writing skills naturally, much as they learn to speak. Key elements of this process include:

• Exposure to a variety of written materials
• Observing adults using reading and writing for real purposes
• Opportunities to experiment with writing and drawing
• Engagement with stories and books that interest them

Meaningful contexts for literacy. Children are more motivated to learn reading and writing when they see its relevance to their lives. Examples include:

• Writing letters or emails to friends and family
• Creating signs and labels for their environment
• Reading instructions for activities they want to do
• Exploring books on topics that fascinate them

Supporting emergent literacy. Adults can facilitate this process by:

• Reading aloud to children regularly
• Encouraging children's attempts at writing, regardless of conventional spelling
• Providing materials for writing and drawing
• Answering questions about print and writing when asked

8. Math and science concepts are best learned through real-world applications

If arithmetic were treated as in fact what it is—a territory to be explored, not a list of facts to be learned—children, at least many children, would move into it faster than we would have dreamed possible.

Contextualizing abstract concepts. Mathematical and scientific ideas become more accessible and meaningful when presented in real-world contexts. This approach:

• Helps children see the relevance of what they're learning
• Provides concrete examples of abstract principles
• Encourages problem-solving and critical thinking
• Fosters a deeper understanding of concepts

Hands-on learning in math and science. Effective strategies include:

• Using manipulatives and physical models
• Conducting experiments and investigations
• Applying math concepts to everyday situations (e.g., cooking, building)
• Exploring natural phenomena through observation and inquiry

Nurturing scientific thinking. To develop scientific mindsets, children should be encouraged to:

• Ask questions and form hypotheses
• Design and carry out experiments
• Analyze results and draw conclusions
• Revise their ideas based on new evidence

9. Children's art and creativity flourish when given quality materials and freedom

I agree strongly with Mr. Wesley that even very young children should be given or have access to art materials of high quality, and shown how to use them carefully and well, just as we would show them how to use any other quality tools.

Respecting children's artistic abilities. Children are capable of producing sophisticated and meaningful art when given the opportunity. This requires:

• Providing high-quality materials and tools
• Teaching proper techniques for using materials
• Allowing freedom to explore and experiment
• Valuing the process of creation as much as the final product

Benefits of artistic expression. Engaging in art activities helps children:

• Develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination
• Express emotions and ideas non-verbally
• Enhance problem-solving and critical thinking skills
• Build confidence in their creative abilities

Creating an environment for artistic growth. Adults can support children's artistic development by:

• Offering a variety of art materials and techniques
• Displaying children's artwork respectfully
• Encouraging experimentation and risk-taking
• Avoiding excessive praise or criticism of the final product

10. Standardized testing and rigid curricula can stifle learning and curiosity

The worst damage we do with all this testing is to the children's own confidence and self-esteem, their belief that others trust them to learn and that they can therefore trust themselves.

Negative impacts of excessive testing. Overemphasis on standardized testing can:

• Create anxiety and stress in children
• Narrow the curriculum to focus on test preparation
• Discourage creativity and critical thinking
• Undermine intrinsic motivation to learn

Limitations of rigid curricula. Inflexible, one-size-fits-all approaches to education often:

• Fail to meet the diverse needs and interests of individual children
• Emphasize memorization over understanding
• Neglect important non-academic skills and knowledge
• Limit opportunities for deep exploration of topics

Alternatives to standardized assessment. More effective approaches to evaluating learning include:

• Portfolio assessments showcasing a range of work
• Project-based learning with authentic outcomes
• Self-reflection and goal-setting by students
• Ongoing formative assessment integrated into daily activities

Last updated: January 24, 2025