Understanding how children learn is crucial for parents, educators, and anyone involved in child development. Each child is unique, and their learning styles can vary significantly.

This article explores the different ways children learn, the importance of creating a supportive environment, and practical strategies to enhance their learning experience.

We will also delve into Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological Theory to understand the various systems that influence a child’s development. At Easy2Swim, we incorporate these principles to create an effective and engaging swimming lesson experience.

How do children learn?

Personal learning experiences:

“I don’t learn the same way as others. Since childhood, I have struggled to pay attention to long and monotonous texts written on the boards by teachers. Unsurprisingly, I did poorly in subjects that required high levels of attention and memory. I definitely did not learn like other children.”

This personal reflection highlights a common issue: not all children learn the same way.

Traditional teaching methods may not be effective for every child, raising questions about the fairness and inclusivity of the current educational model.

Disinterest vs. Concentration Problems:

“I heard that I had concentration problems, and many still say today that their children have concentration problems… When we are adults and sit in front of the TV, picking up the remote to change channels or switch movies, looking for another series, are we having concentration problems, or are we disinterested in what is being presented?”

This observation suggests that what is often labeled as a concentration problem might actually be a lack of interest in the way content is presented.

Engaging children with interesting and relevant material can significantly improve their focus and learning outcomes.

Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological Theory

Uri Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological model describes how development is shaped by the interaction between our biological characteristics and our environment. The environment is seen as a complex system with several layers, or nested systems, that affect development:

• Microsystem: Closest environment to the child, such as family, school, and friends.
• Mesosystem: Connections between different microsystems, like home and school.
• Exosystem: Environments that do not directly involve the child but still affect them, like parents’ work.
• Macrosystem: Culture, laws, and societal values.
• Chronosystem: Time and changes that occur throughout life.

Why are we Talking about this?

Understanding these systems can guide us in presenting the world to children in a way that allows them to learn naturally, safely, and progressively.

For instance, the riskiest activities tend to happen in environments where the child feels safest and most loved, typically during the 0-5 years old phase of “Am I loved? Am I safe?”

Safety leads to exploration

Early studies on child development conducted by John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth conclude that children who have the love and presence of their parents go further in their explorations.

A secure attachment provides a solid foundation for children to explore their environment and learn new skills.

Enthusiastic learning

Children learn a lot from the attitudes and behaviors of adults. For example, your reaction to an insect or other elements of nature can influence their curiosity and willingness to explore.

Instead of saying “Ew, a frog?” try saying “Look how interesting this little frog is jumping, come see!”

Children learn through:

• Play: Cognitive, social, and emotional development.
• Imitation: Adults and other children through modeling.
• Exploration: Environment and systems.
• Social Interaction: Parents, teachers, peers.

Practical Strategies

• Active Participation: Engage with children in their activities and interests.
• Modeling: Demonstrate behaviors you want in children. (Examples: “Please,” “Good morning,” “Did you sleep well?”, smile)
• Open Communication: Listen and respond to their questions using reasoning. (Example: Jiu-jitsu on gravel)

Praise vs. Encouragement

Praising alone can become a crutch for the child, where their focus revolves around receiving praise. Instead, encouragement provides another perspective that values effort:

– Praise: “Wow, you finished the puzzle. You are fantastic.”

– Encouragement: “That’s great, you spent a lot of time dedicated to putting all those pieces in place.”

Replace what you felt with what you saw

– What I Felt: “I loved your painting! It turned out very beautiful.”

– What You Saw: “I saw that you used many colors and these details here must have taken a lot of work.”

At Easy2Swim, we incorporate principles of active participation, modeling positive behaviors, and open communication to create a supportive and engaging learning environment tailored to each child’s needs.

Our instructors use encouragement to build confidence and resilience, ensuring children feel valued for their efforts.

By connecting emotionally and redirecting when necessary, we help children overcome challenges and stay motivated. This holistic approach not only teaches swimming skills but also fosters a love for learning and exploration.

Understanding these principles helps us create effective learning environments where every child can thrive in our swimming lessons.