How to Adult Learning: From Children's Cognitive Development to Curiosity
Explore the nuances of cognitive development, prior knowledge, and the essence of curiosity in shaping effective adult learning experiences.
Children and adults have distinct learning characteristics influenced by cognitive development, prior knowledge, and life experiences. Understanding these differences can provide valuable insights for adult learners seeking to enhance their learning experiences.
Navigating the Lifelong Odyssey of Learning
Cognitive Development: Cognitive development is a crucial aspect that distinguishes how children and adults approach learning. Children's brains are constantly developing, with particular growth in areas related to executive function, memory, and abstract thinking. They often rely on concrete experiences and have a propensity for memorization. While inherent to childhood learning, these characteristics also hold valuable lessons for adults in pursuing personal and professional growth.
One notable feature of a child's brain is its remarkable ability to wire and rewire, and make new connections constantly. Though present in adults to a lesser extent, this neuroplasticity underscores the lifelong potential for learning and adaptation. However, this process tends to be slower and less adaptable for adults. Consequently, adult learners often need to invest more effort to acquire new knowledge and ensure it becomes firmly ingrained. This underscores the importance of active, relevant, and intentional adult learning.
Yet, adults possess a significant advantage in their more developed cognitive abilities, enabling them to engage in abstract thinking, critical analysis, and complex problem-solving. These higher-order cognitive functions allow adults to approach learning with a depth and sophistication that children are still developing. However, many adults don’t realize this advantage can be enhanced by incorporating elements from childhood learning.
One critical lesson adults can draw from children is the appreciation for the simplicity of concrete learning - tangible and real-world examples, experiences, or objects to facilitate understanding and knowledge acquisition.
Children and adults learn best from breaking down complex ideas into manageable, bite-sized pieces through hands-on experiences and straightforward memorization. This approach, characterized by its simplicity and directness, can be applied to adult learning contexts. Tackling intricate subjects by breaking them into understandable components can enhance understanding and retention, which helps automate more mentally constraining tasks and frees up room for adults to focus on deliberate practice and continually seeking improvement.
Prior Knowledge: Prior knowledge is a dual-edged sword for adults, representing both an asset and a potential obstacle in the learning process. Life experiences and accumulated knowledge can be valuable resources but impede progress if not managed effectively. To make the most of this wealth of knowledge, adults must engage in self-awareness, recognizing their existing knowledge and any biases it may entail.
Learning from children involves adopting a mindset akin to that of a beginner or beginner’s mindset, approaching new subjects with the same curiosity and openness children exhibit. This approach necessitates humility—adults should refrain from assuming they hold all the answers to a given question or task until such answers are rigorously tested and validated.
Adults should guard against the assumption that their way is inherently the best merely because it has proven successful in their past experiences.
The potential benefit of prior knowledge to adults lies in its ability to serve as a scaffold upon which new learning can be built. However, this must be done cautiously, acknowledging there is always room for improvement. In many situations, the stakes may be too high to experiment extensively. In such cases, reserving experimentation for tasks and learning experiences with lower risks is advisable, but the potential for growth remains significant.
Adults can gradually build confidence in their approaches and strategies by initially testing and refining ideas in lower-stakes environments. Successful experiments in less critical settings can then be applied to more significant and higher-stakes tasks, with the assurance that these methods have already demonstrated their value.
This strategic approach allows adults to balance drawing upon their prior knowledge and embracing the potential for innovation and improvement, ultimately enhancing their learning journeys.
Reigniting Intrinsic Motivation
Curiosity: Exploring the concept of curiosity unveils a fascinating interplay between the learning dynamics of children and adults. Children, characterized by an innate sense of wonder, embark on learning journeys driven by an insatiable curiosity about the world. Their approach is playfully explorative, often rooted in a desire to imitate the adults in their immediate environment. For children, learning is an organic and joyous process marked by an uninhibited pursuit of knowledge for its intrinsic value.
Contrastingly, the motivations that propel adult learning often originate from external factors, predominantly pragmatic ones like career advancement or personal growth. The responsibilities and complexities of adult life may sometimes overshadow the intrinsic joy that learning inherently carries. Adults may find themselves entangled in a web of practical considerations, where learning becomes a means to an end, a pathway to achieving specific outcomes.
The essence of learning from children lies in reclaiming the joy of intrinsic motivation. It's a call to rediscover the pleasure in learning for its own sake, not tethered to external rewards or predefined goals. Intrinsic motivation in learning implies finding fulfillment and satisfaction in the process itself, recognizing that acquiring knowledge is inherently rewarding. It's about transcending the constraints of purely outcome-driven learning and embracing the enriching journey of understanding, akin to the boundless curiosity that propels a child's exploration of the world.
Learning Environment: Diving into the concept of the learning environment unveils a critical aspect of the contrasting dynamics between how children and adults absorb knowledge. Children thrive in carefully structured environments, often represented by the formal setting of schools or the organic setting of play. In these spaces, exploration and discovery are encouraged and integral to learning. The structured nature of classrooms and the open-ended nature of play allow children to engage with their surroundings, fostering a sense of curiosity and a genuine thirst for discovery.
Conversely, adult learning tends to occur in more formalized settings, including traditional classrooms or through self-guided study. The formality may sometimes overshadow the elements of spontaneity and unbridled curiosity that are innate to children's learning environments. However, the profound lesson to be drawn from children's learning environments is that adults can immensely benefit from infusing their learning spaces with similar principles.
Adult learners can optimize their learning experiences by:
Deliberately crafting environments that echo the curiosity-driven and exploratory nature of children's learning.
Creating spaces encouraging curiosity, fostering exploration, and allowing experimentation can significantly enhance adult learning.
Recreate the dynamic and engaging atmosphere that characterizes children's learning environments.
The key takeaway is that the learning environment plays a pivotal role in shaping the learning experience, irrespective of age. By borrowing from the elements that make children's learning environments effective, adults can transform their approach to learning, making it more engaging, fulfilling, and conducive to genuine exploration and discovery.
Embracing a Growth Mindset
Risk-Taking: The aspect of risk-taking in the context of learning draws a distinct parallel between the uninhibited nature of children's approach and the often more cautious stance of adults. Children naturally embody a fearless attitude towards taking risks, primarily because they haven't yet cultivated the fear of failure that often accompanies adulthood. Their curious minds propel them to explore new territories, ask questions without hesitation, and engage in activities without a paralyzing fear of making mistakes.
On the contrary, as individuals transition into adulthood, especially when their career is established, the fear of failure becomes more pronounced. Adults may develop a risk-averse mindset, fearing the potential consequences of mistakes. This fear can stifle creativity, hinder innovation, and discourage exploration. Learning from children in this context implies a fundamental shift in perspective — adopting a growth mindset.
As cultivated by children, a growth mindset reframes the notion of failure. Instead of viewing failure as a setback, a growth mindset sees it as an integral part of the learning process. For children, each stumble and incorrect answer is not a reason to give up but an opportunity to learn, adapt, and improve. Translating this mindset to adult learning involves embracing the idea that setbacks are stepping stones to success.
Adult learners can benefit immensely by adopting a more childlike approach to failure.
Instead of viewing it as a roadblock, consider it a detour leading to a richer understanding of the subject matter. This shift in perspective can be transformative, encouraging adults to take calculated risks, experiment with new ideas, and approach challenges with a sense of resilience and optimism. It's about recognizing that failure is not the end of the road but a valuable checkpoint on the journey of learning and growth.
Social Learning: Social learning encompasses the collaborative and interactive nature of acquiring knowledge through social interactions, a process predominantly observed in children but equally applicable and beneficial for adults.
Social interactions are a crucial part of childhood learning. Children tend to engage with their peers, ask questions freely, and seek guidance from adults without any hesitation. Even though sometimes children face challenges while interacting with others, they are willing to make an effort to overcome those challenges. They engage in free-flowing exchanges of ideas and knowledge, which is a fundamental element of their learning journey.
For adults, emulating this social learning aspect involves recognizing collaborative experiences' impact on one's learning journey. Unlike the conventional image of learning as a solitary pursuit, adults can leverage the power of social learning by actively engaging with others in the pursuit of knowledge.
Participating in study groups is a practical manifestation of this approach. Individuals can benefit from diverse perspectives, varied insights, and collective problem-solving by joining forces with peers with similar learning objectives. This collaborative effort enhances the depth of understanding and introduces the richness of different viewpoints.
Seeking out mentors is another avenue for adults to integrate social learning into their educational endeavors. With their wealth of experience and knowledge, mentors serve as guides, providing valuable insights, advice, and constructive feedback. The mentor-mentee relationship fosters a dynamic exchange beyond textbook learning, offering real-world insights and practical wisdom.
Engaging in collaborative learning experiences like workshops, seminars or online forums creates an environment that is conducive to exchanging ideas. This way, adults can draw from a collective pool of knowledge, learn from the experiences of others, and together navigate the complexities of the subject matter.
Embracing social learning as an adult means going beyond the traditional learning model as an individual pursuit. It's about acknowledging that a group's collective wisdom can significantly enhance the learning process by providing new dimensions and perspectives that may not be available when learning alone. By actively participating in social learning, adults can tap into the collaborative spirit of childhood learning. This creates a more dynamic and interactive approach to acquiring knowledge.
Cultivating the Joy of Learning
Persistence: The concept of persistence, often observed in children, is a remarkable trait that adults can draw inspiration from in their pursuit of learning. When intrigued by something, children exhibit an unwavering determination to explore and understand it. This natural curiosity and enthusiasm for exploration are valuable lessons for adults striving to maintain dedication and enthusiasm in their learning journey.
Children's persistence is closely linked to their innate curiosity. When faced with a challenge or a subject of interest, they approach it eager to unravel its mysteries. This intrinsic motivation fuels their continuous engagement and efforts to comprehend the intricacies of the topic. Adults, too, can harness the power of curiosity to fuel their persistence in learning.
Moreover, children's enthusiasm for exploration is characterized by a genuine joy in the discovery process. They find delight in each new piece of information, each small achievement, and each step forward in their understanding. This joy becomes a driving force that keeps them engaged and committed. Adults can emulate this aspect by finding joy in learning, celebrating small victories, and appreciating the journey as much as the destination.
For adults to learn from children's persistence involves cultivating a mindset that embraces challenges and setbacks as integral parts of the learning process. Children often don't shy away from the difficulties they encounter; instead, they see them as opportunities for growth. Adopting a growth mindset, where challenges are viewed as stepping stones rather than obstacles, can significantly contribute to maintaining enthusiasm and dedication.
Additionally, adults can create a supportive environment that nurtures persistence. Establishing clear learning goals, breaking them into manageable tasks, and celebrating progress can be motivational milestones. Recognizing that persistence is a journey, not a destination, allows adults to stay committed to their learning goals even when faced with challenges.
Learning from children's persistence means accepting and embracing curiosity and enthusiasm while valuing the learning process. By maintaining dedication and joy in the face of challenges, adults can develop the same resilience and determination children demonstrate in their persistence. This approach helps to infuse the learning journey with positivity, making it more rewarding and enjoyable.
Adapt Childlike Learning into Your Life
Incorporating childlike learning principles into adult learning is a transformative approach that redefines the educational journey for individuals seeking personal and professional growth. This philosophy encourages adults to embrace six fundamental principles:
Curiosity
Playfulness
Growth Mindset
Openness to Exploration
Learning from Failures
Social Interactions and Support
Learning from how a child learns is a paradigm shift in adult education. It's about rediscovering the joy of learning, infusing curiosity and playfulness into educational pursuits, maintaining a growth mindset, and recognizing the value of community and support. By embracing these principles, adults can enhance their learning experiences and rekindle the innate love for learning that is inherently present in every individual.