In summer and school, activities help kids learn best
Summer is actually a great time for children to learn — whether in summer school per se or via other activities. Families who travel with their children, take day trips, field trips, participate in library programs and/or other community-based events are providing continual learning opportunities. These things can have lasting positive effects that boost other forms of learning.
Ever wonder why some children experience accelerated learning from May to August while others’ August to May achievement gains take a hit? The answer is pretty simple: opportunities.
Children who are given time for, access to and support with more and different experiences both near and far are, in reality, exercising their brains and forming connections that make learning an authentic experience.
In fact, for decades educators have been trying to make similar connections a reality for students during the formal academic year. John Dewey’s 1938 classic “Experience and Education” explained to the masses that human beings learn best “by doing.” When we engage our senses in a real-life activity “whole hog” as known in the Ozarks, we are much more likely to remember and understand the “hows” and “whys” related to the outcome. We call that learning — even if it is from the so-called “College of Hard Knocks.”
We have labeled this basic principle a variety of things over the years: progressive education, experiential learning, powerful learning, authentic instruction, differentiated learning, inquiry-based learning, discovery learning, projects-based learning and my personal favorite — brain-based learning. All purportedly have a slightly different twist, but the underlying deal is basically the same Nike slogan, “Just Do It.”
When a child wades in a stream on a cool June morning with a Missouri Department of Conservation Educational Consultant, marine biology will take on a whole new meaning. It will be real. It will be remembered.
David L. Hough, Ph.D., is Professor and Dean, College of Education, Missouri State University. You may contact him via email at: email@example.com Views expressed in this column are solely those of Dr. Hough and do not necessarily represent Missouri State University positions.