Children journey through early learning at their own pace. Every interaction with someone or something is an opportunity for children to learn. Most of this kind of early discovery happens by doing something for the very first time—and then repeating it again and again. Gravity can be “discovered” by dropping a toy and realizing that it falls to the ground every single time. Deeper understanding or “aha moments” are are often unexpected, yet these parts of the journey are important ways for children to gain confidence, spark interests and build skills.
Learn more about the unmatched value of experience: 5 dangerous things you should let your kid do from Gever Tulley
Children have untapped potential for creativity, imagination and breakthrough ideas. Unstructured or alternatively structured environments foster social and emotional intelligence and encourage children to learn in ways that work for them. All children benefit from exposure to different ways of thinking and problem solving. In particular, children who have learning differences can excel through experiential learning opportunities.
With the foundations of healthy environments and literacy in place, experience-based learning takes into account different learning styles, turning learning hurdles into the building blocks for success.
TYPES OF EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
Some of the greatest discoveries in human history happened through exploration and experiences that went beyond classroom education or contradicted it entirely (think Darwin and the theory of evolution). Diverse early experiences offer young children outlets for creativity and exploration that facilitate big leaps in learning.
PLAY-BASED LEARNING
opens up new social relationships, helps build motor skills, and strengthens pathways in the brain for memory, adaptability and intellect.
RECESS AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION
encourage health and fitness, teamwork and individual confidence, and help children focus and learn more effectively when they return to the classroom.
BLENDED LEARNING
strikes a balance between classroom time with an instructor and technology-mediated learning activities. This often includes flipped classrooms, online interactive games and other tools for expanded learning.
STE(A)M
Science, Technology, Engineering (Arts) and Math—is an integrated approach to learning that can never start too early. For young children, field trips, science experiments and other opportunities to practice basic research methods and technologies are pathways to valuable life experiences and long-term academic passions. Recently, the “A” was added to reinforce the benefits of including the arts in STEM curricula.
ARTS EDUCATION
is vital to learning and development. Art is one of the most effective ways to activate all the senses and stimulate new ideas. It can take place in many different environments. Like literacy, the arts (visual, music, theater and dance) inform a child’s view of the world and how she relates to others.
BRINGING EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING TO THE FOREFRONT
The goal of experience-based learning is to create opportunities for meaningful and personally significant interactions in early education. These experiences support healthy development and build empathy at an early age. They also help parents, teachers and caregivers establish an open and trusting relationship that considers the child’s learning needs and overall well-being.
When it comes to experiential learning, there is no right or wrong answer. A wide variety of programs and resources work for young learners and their families living here and abroad.
The most promising programs are those that are truly accessible for children and caregivers; they offer an experience that overcomes learning differences or crosses socioeconomic divides. By finding and funding those projects, we can bring forward alternatives to the four-walled classroom and inspire a generation of leaders-in-the-making.
Read next topic:
Meet the Experts →
