How does my child learn?

Knowing that your child is an innate learner may not be enough to facilitate learning. But if you provide a conducive environment, learning does not seem like a chore.

When my baby girl was around 9 months old, she was obsessed with opening bottle caps and shaking containers such as cans etc. She would spend hours doing this. I was always intrigued and began to do my research around it. I wondered what she could be thinking while at it. What I unearthed was not only fascinating, but in fact it helped me understand how her brain was developing.

Let me introduce you to the three friends I made along the way and how they helped me in aiding my nugget’s learning process. The facts I have presented are scientific, evidence-based, and hence sound in their individual philosophies. They have been studied extensively in the past few decades by experts. So, if you feel like you may want to delve deeper, I have attached some references for you at the end of this post.

I am going to try and simplify them here below.

1) Meet my first friend – Sensitivity / Sensitive period:

What is a sensitive period?

Remember that time when your little one decided to ditch the stroller and walk? Does your baby mouth anything and everything she grabs? I bet you wondered why your tot obsesses over small toys. Mine has suddenly become orderly with anything she does and is not happy if a blue cup is replaced by a pink one. These and more such times when our children have leaned towards doing one activity more than others, are ‘sensitive periods’ in their lives.

Thus, sensitive periods are blocks of time during a child’s development, where the child is particularly sensitive to one feature in her/his environment. The child prioritizes this feature more than other aspects of the environment and shows keen interest in exploring it. These periods last for some time, and then the child moves on to the next stage. A Dutch scientist, Hugo the Vries, first founded this term and later Maria Montessori, an educator described the term more clearly in early learning.

When my daughter showed keen interest in shaking containers, and opening bottle caps, she was in fact exploring movement. Shaking, turning, twisting, gripping, feeling the texture etc are some examples babies between birth and 1 year can explore. As I educated myself in this regard, I ended up identifying several such sensitive periods suggested by Montessori, as my daughter went through her natural development.

To list a few.

a) Throwing food from the highchair – exploring cause and effect

b) Cleaning with a dust cloth, lining up toys and getting upset if something is not as per routine – exploring order

c) Having trouble sharing and adds ‘mine’ after everything she/he lays hands-on – exploring social life

d) Scribbling on paper and calling it ‘their work’ – exploring writing and letter formation

e) Pushing and attempting to lift heavy pots and pans – exploring movement

f) Constant babbling as if to strike a conversation – exploring language

These sensitivities are powerful, and when I provided the right set up, learning became effortless. Research tells us that this window of opportunity, where the child is more than willing to learn can produce the best results. One such example was my daughter’s love for alphabets. I introduced phonics in the gentlest way possible, and I can only be amazed that my 34-month-old took pride in reading. Another one was when she loved transferring and pouring. I simply set the stage and she became an expert at self-feeding and her hand-eye co-ordination improved by leaps and bounds. The transfer of this type of learning into practical life is simply unbelievable and one must do it, to believe it.

How many sensitive periods do we know of?

Montessori identifies 11 sensitive periods occurring from birth to 6 years of age. The time frames mentioned are, however only a reference and they can vary between children. It is important to remember that every child learns at her/his own pace and these sensitivities are not timelines set in stone. However, a conducive environment can go a long way in developing these interests the child has. The timing of the environment is always key, and one cannot ‘set up’ a sensitivity earlier than its appearance.

How do I know when my bub reaches a sensitive period?

a) The child will show keen interest in a feature of her/his environment. Like the time when your tot is eager to help you with chores at home.

b) She/he will repeat the activity and won’t get tired of it. If your child has ever asked you to re-read a story or repeat an incident you narrated, a million times, you probably know what I mean.

c) The child voluntarily practices the activity related to the feature she/he is interested in. My little girl had no interest in ‘art’ until recently when she began ‘filling gaps’ (as she put it). She drew shapes and coloured them without me actually ever asking her to do so.

d) The child is determined to finish the task at hand and does not like to be disturbed while she/he is at it. I’m hoping you are that one rare parent who’s tot hasn’t taken forever to wear her/his shoes before getting out of the door.

What could I do to aid learning through these periods?

a) Knowledge about these sensitivities and approximately when they appear in a child’s life could allow a parent to recognize them.

b) The right exposure is key. It is best to allow the child to explore, and an opportunity to do so must be provided.

c) An area / space could be specifically designated for exploration or explore the outdoors together.

d) The material for exploration must be available and accessible keeping safety in mind.

So what happens if I miss a sensitivity?

Relax. A child does not stop learning outside of these sensitivities and so there is absolutely no need to panic. Learning is an ongoing process and although it can take a little more effort down the line, the possibilities are endless. It is not uncommon for the most observant and attentive parents to miss these sensitivities and that is only natural.

2) Meet my second friend, Pruning:

What is Pruning?

Just like the plants in your garden need pruning / trimming to cut away dead, dried branches and weeds, our brain needs pruning too. Surprised? So, in the brain information is relayed via neurons. There is a bridge that connects these neurons and that is called a ‘synapse’. In an infant, there is an explosion of these synapses or connections. Between the age of 2 – 3 years, the connections are at a maximum. If these connections or pathways are not used, they need to be trimmed or pruned. Otherwise there is over processing of information and sensory overload occurs. Hence these connections are vital for growth and need trimming from time to time. ‘Use it or lose it’ – Have you heard of this phrase? This is it. Research suggests that by the age of 28, brain development is complete.

What is in it for a parent?

This friend of mine helped me understand the importance of positive reinforcement. If a child is exposed to positive stimuli (love, care, praise, encouragement, confidence, etc) more often than negative stimuli (Stress, abuse, trauma, etc), the foundation of the brain is solid. The connections made in this way, are more productive than otherwise. Forcing a child into learning something that she/he is not ready for, is counterproductive. This may create a negative memory and the child may begin to associate this with fear and eventually give up.

3) Meet my third friend, Neuroplasticity:

What is Neuroplasticity?

Medical science has advanced at lightning speed in the last couple of decades as far as neuroscience is concerned. Earlier it was believed that once the brain learns something, that learning is permanent. However, now we know that the brain is in fact plastic. Not the plastic you and I know, but it means that it can change and adapt to change over time with repeated exposure.

How will a parent benefit from knowing more about Plasticity?

This friend helped me understand that if the intention is right, learning can rewire the brain. My sweet pea learnt alphabet names before sounds. I wasn’t aware then, that teaching sounds can assist reading better. However neuroplasticity came to my rescue and my little one could superimpose her learning with a new concept quite effortlessly. So, I would sincerely advise you to be gentle with yourself as a parent. Making mistakes makes way for growth.

I hope this has been an interesting read, and I have empowered you with 3 new tools in your parenting toolbox. Do come back for more action in my next blog.

References:

February 18, 2015 M. 101 P. (2015, February 18). What is the Absorbent Mind & Sensitive Periods? Retrieved from http://www.ourmontessorihome.com/what-is-the-absorbent-mind-sensitive-periods/

Hirsh-Pasek, K., Golinkoff, R. M., & Eyer, D. E. (2008). Einstein never used flash cards: how our children really learn--and why they need to play more and memorize less. New York: MJF Books.

MONTESSORI SENSITIVE PERIODS BIRTH - 3 YEARS. (2018, May 21). Retrieved from https://thistoddlerlife.com/montessori-sensitive-periods/

Montessori, M., & Claremont, C. A. (2019). The absorbent mind. Amsterdam: Montessori-Pierson Publishing Company.

Rochester Montessori School. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://rmschool.org/content/sensitive-periods

Sensitive Periods in Child Development. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.helenfarabee.org/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=7923&cn=28

The Ten Secrets of Montessori-#4 Sensitive Periods. (2019, May 3). Retrieved from http://ageofmontessori.org/the-ten-secrets-of-montessori-4-sensitive-periods/