The Nature of Children and Learning

by Beverley Paine

I used the following information when putting together our home education curriculum many years ago. It formed the basis of our home education philosophy. I've lost the original source of the information and inspiration that helped me create this list. I hope it is as useful to you as it was for me!

A child's learning begins at birth. Every child is born with his or her own individual personal characteristics. Likewise their learning occurs at individual rates and individual levels. The amount of learning will depend upon the child's age, intelligence, maturity, mental, emotional and physical health, interests, motivation, self concept, cooperation, time of day, weather and the environment. A child's learning environment can be anywhere - at home, in the playground, at a friend's place, in a classroom; anywhere the child is. A child's learning needs to be both structured, formal, unstructured, spontaneous and informal. Learning can be incremental and holistic.

Children learn when alone and when with others. They learn when they are with parents and family, friends, relatives, teachers, mentors, anyone and everyone. They learn individually, with a partner, in small groups and in large groups. Children need access to all kinds of social learning settings.

Children learn when:

• it is relevant to them
• it relates to their daily experiences of life
• it is interesting to them
• it is humorous to them
• it is what they want to learn
• it is serious and important for them
• it is meaningful to them
• it can be quickly understood
• they have self confidence
• they are following their own interests
• they can benefit from new skills
• they are satisfied with their efforts
• they feel secure and non threatened
• they can make their own decisions
• they can take part in making decisions
• they have responsibility for their learning
• they can solve their problems
• they are encouraged and helped
• their efforts are accepted
• they practice many different kinds of skills
• they are engaged in activity
• they are actively or passively participating
• they are curious
• they are personally motivated
• they are asking questions
• they are being entertained or are entertaining themselves
• they are playing or role playing
• they are talking, discussing and conversing
• when they are exposed to new ideas, skills and concepts
• when they reflecting, thinking about and consolidating acquired
• skills and knowledge
• when they are developing their hobbies and interests
• when they are having fun
• when they are practising
• when they are allowed to take risks and make mistakes
• when they are experimenting
• when they notice similarities and differences
• when they are making plans