Page 2 - LESSION 13.pmd

How Children Learn (Early Learning and Teaching)

• describe the significance of arts as medium for expression and
communication; and
• identify developmental variations and suggest appropriate interventions. Notes

13.1 INDICATORS OF CHILDREN’S DEVELOPMENT AND
LEARNING

Babies are born ready to learn and their brain develop by use. In fact, it is often
said that of the brain, 'use it or lose it'. What and how you serve the brain
determines the returns. Human babies have the longest period of dependency
making it imperative for the environment to be rich with a wide range of sensory
inputs. We have to ensure that we are providing enough warm interactions of
stoking children's sensory capacities to reach their optimal competence.
Developmental milestones describe emergence of new capacity or skill. Neck
control, creeping, crawling, standing, making sounds, responding to faces are all
indicators of development in different domains. As they grow, they form different
relations. No two children learn in the same way or at the same pace. Some
children walk earlier while some may talk earlier. How we review that learning is
occurring is by watching for changes also called as progress.

13.2 HOW CHILDREN LEARN

Children learn in different ways. Some learn by seeing, some by hearing, some by
listening, some by doing. Giving your child chances to play with other children is
a great way to develop skills needed to get on with others. As mentioned in
earlier lessons, the time between birth to six years are filled with the natural
desire to learn and to make meaning of the world around them. There is a
possibility of tremendous social, emotional, physical and cognitive
development, and it can come and go before you know it. It is necessary and
essential to provide high quality stimulating experiences, opportunities of a
wide variety to kindle and sustain children’s interest in their surroundings
and joy in learning.

For children, early learning is best through play, stories, conversations, songs,
rhythm, movement and opportunity to explore.
Children learn best by actively engaging with the environment. This may, in the
early years include:

Development capacity Learning
• observing things, watching faces responding to colour, shape, voices

• listening to sounds and rhythm making sounds and singing
• exploring learning by experiencing

• experimenting by turning things around curiosity and interest

EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION 61