How Children Learn

Intelligence The ability to interpret or understand everyday situations and to use the experience when faced with new situations or problems

Methods of Learning Incidental Learning-unplanned learning Cause and effect situations Push both feet against the bottom of the crib and body moves forward Trial and Error-tries several solutions before finding one that works What happens when I touch the cat? Pull it’s tail

Methods of Learning Imitation-learning by watching and copying others Manners Cooking Directed Learning-Being taught Learning to Read

Concepts General categories of objects and information Dog-every animal is a dog Pronouns “Mamma” & “she” Time- know soon & later helps w/patience; still do not know minutes or hours Learn to categorize by shape, color, and size Know ball is round, grape is round 18 months know “big” and “little” not till 3 when can distinguish size difference small , medium, large; 2yr olds more patience= know concept of soon, later

Intellectual Activity Attention Taking notes, people walking in the hallway, being able to concentrate Memory Being afraid of dogs, and all animals for a long period of time By 3 can remember simple directions Perception Information received through the senses; everywhere is a field trip! 2-3 start asking “Why”

Intellectual Activity Reasoning Solve problems and make decisions 1-2 more physical; by 3 using mental more than physical Need choices to have opportunity to do this well Imagination Apparent by 2 Try new things and become a different person Connect what they see and hear with themselves See an airplane and wonder if they will fly

Intellectual Activity Creativity Imagination is used to produce something Projects, art, dramtic play Curiosity Curious about the world around them Wonder why, or try new things Allow this in a controlled environment

PARNETS/CAREGIVERS Encourage child’s curiosity. Welcome child’s questions. Praise child’s efforts to learn new skills.

Choosing Books Are the pictures colorful, interesting, and easy to understand? Will the story appeal to the child’s interest Does the story include action that will hold the child’s interest? Will the child understand most of the words? Does the book use descriptive language that brings the story alive? Is the story short enough to read in one sitting?

Choosing Books Age Appropriate 1 Year Olds 2 Year Olds 3 Year Olds Short, simple books Picture books with objects they can name Rhyming books 2 Year Olds Simple Stories 3 Year Olds Longer stories, with more of a plot Realistic stories that help use their imagination

Become a Master Storyteller Create excitement and interest by: Varying the tone of your voice Give each character a different voice Use gesture and facial expressions Take time to learn the book beforehand so you can keep the pictures facing the children

Encourage Participation Turn the pages Relate back to their life Ask questions Let the child be a character Point out words or familiar objects Draw pictures to go along with story

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