1 7

Webshop FlexJuf

The learning challenge for young children

The learning challenge for young children

€58,95 EUR
€58,95 EUR
Sale Sold out
Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

The Learning Challenge for Young Children

When children learn to ride a bike, they will wobble at first. We then encourage them to keep going, because we know that this wobbling is necessary for them to learn to ride. But when children wobble during other activities, we often rush to their aid immediately. In doing so, we unintentionally interrupt the learning process.

 

This book shows you how to teach young children to learn. 'Wobbling' (or in other words: not knowing something for a moment, experiencing a cognitive conflict) is an essential part of this. You can help children learn deeply by guiding them through a Learning Challenge.

The Learning Challenge consists of 4 phases:

 

  1. Concept – You talk to children about a notion or concept, for example: 'What is mess?'
  2. Cognitive conflict – Children have multiple ideas about the concept that seem to contradict each other. This creates friction: 'Huh, how does this work?' The children are in The Learning Pit.
  3. Meaning-making – Children climb out of the Learning Pit, possibly with some help.
  4. Reflection – Children reflect on what they have learned.

 

The Learning Pit is at the core of the Learning Challenge. When children come up with a solution to a cognitive conflict, we say they are 'in the Learning Pit'. This metaphor works well. Children are outside their comfort zone; it is an uncomfortable situation. If children understand that this is part of the learning process, they are more likely to develop a growth mindset.

 

The elaborated activities and materials in this book help you (as a teacher or pedagogical assistant) to guide children aged 3 to 7 through the Learning Challenge. This way, you encourage children to think and talk about how they learn.

 

"As a teacher, how can you influence the learning of young children, before, during or after play? In this book, James Nottingham provides all sorts of ideas to get started with this. With examples and accompanying materials, making it a delightfully practical book!"
Bianca Antonissen

 

Available downloads:

View full details