What Impacts Student Learning in Young Children?

A parent can impact the way a child learns by working with their child at home.

By the time your child turns three-years-old, his brain has reached about 90 percent of the adult brain's structure and function. However, this does not mean that the brain has been fully developed -- what children learn will continue to impact the brain's development. Although every child learns differently, there are a few factors that have a huge impact on the way children -- particularly children who have just started school -- can learn.

Parents

The parent is the first, and probably most influential, person who has an impact on the way children learn. From birth, parents are responsible for helping their child's brain development -- they provide the necessities, love and help children learn through their mistakes. When a child begins going to school, a parent can impact the way she learns based on their parenting styles. A parent who encourages his child to complete homework or assists their child with any problems the teacher has not addressed can have a huge positive impact on the way a child learns. Likewise, a parent who does not meet this criteria will have a negative impact.

Educators

The teacher is another individual who has an impact on the way a child learns. Each teacher has her own teaching style and, depending on what type of learner the child is, this can have a positive or negative impact. Since children learn by doing, it is the teacher's responsibility to educate the child in the way that best works for him. Teachers of young children impact the way a child learns because they try and challenge them, while at the same time being a positive role model for the child.

Friends and Peers

When your child begins going to school, you might notice that she picks up new things the teacher surely has not taught her. A child's friends and peers play a huge impact on the way (and what) a child learns because many children learn by copying. Again, these impacts can be positive or negative depending on what the child is learning. Children also use playing as a way of learning -- the experiences they have with their friends and peers impact learning because it provides them with a safe, natural setting to have trial and error experiences.

Learning Environment

The environment is another factor that affects the way children learn. It is a teacher's responsibility to provide his students with an environment where they feel comfortable and ready to learn. For example, a room with motivational posters, interesting posters and children's artwork might put a child more at ease than a room with blank, whitewashed walls. When children feel safe and welcome within their classroom, they will be able to devote more of their attention to learning new material.

References

• North Central Regional Educational Laboratory: How Young Children Learn
• "Plain Talk"; How Children Learn and How Parents Can Help; Craig T. Ramey et al.; July 2004