Wondering what a child-centered learning approach is? Not sure how it plays a part in modern child education programs?
These days, a child-centered learning approach is being implemented into many modern schooling programs. However, if you don’t know about this type of education, you may not understand why it can be so beneficial.
We’re here to help. In this article, we’ll tell you what a child centered learning approach is. We’ll also discuss the benefits of taking this approach in the classroom.
What is a Child-Centered Learning Approach?
A child-centered learning approach is an approach to education in which students are treated as individuals. Students are empowered to be active participants in their own learning process.
In a child-centered classroom, activities and studies will be tailored to a student’s unique needs. Their own individual interests will be front and center. Child-centered learning injects a new level of energy and fun into lessons. It fully engages students by having teachers meet them on their level. Children will choose their own activities and will be active participants, while a teacher will serve as a facilitator.
With a child-centered learning approach, a child will be more interested in learning. This is because education will be tailored for them as individuals. They’ll be active participants in their education and will have more fun, without needing to conform to a rigid classroom setting.
Problems With Traditional Learning Approaches
Child-centered learning arises out of the recognition of many problems in modern-day classrooms. Traditional classrooms tend to be teacher-centered.
Many criticize typical classrooms and learning approaches as being too rigid. They aren’t ideal for teaching a diverse range of students in a classroom. Students have different interests, learning styles, and levels of ability.
Modern-day children’s classrooms don’t usually encourage independence. Yet, independence and exploration can be very beneficial to a child in their early years of education. Teachers have a heavy hand in the learning process and students are directed closely.
In a child-centric learning environment, children will have more responsibility. They’ll make their own choices about what to learn, which activities to do, and how to explore different subjects.
As interests and skills develop, teachers will direct a child accordingly. Yet, a child will still take responsibility and will provide the motivation for their own learning path.
How Child-Centered Learning Makes a Difference
We’ve discussed the basics of child-centered learning versus the traditional approach. However, let’s dig a little deeper. Here are a few ways that child-centered learning can make a big difference in the classroom.
- Empowers Students to Take an Active Role
One of the top benefits of a child-centered learning approach is that it gives students more power. It allows them to become active participants in the decision-making process.
During creative learning, a child can decide on what they want to learn and how they want to go about strengthening their knowledge in a subject. A child will take an active role in their own education. As a result, they’ll also learn how to become better leaders and will gain more confidence in themselves. Because they’ll have such an active role and learning, they’ll also gain more responsibility as well.
A student in a child-centered daycare school is more likely to become a lifelong learner. They’ll value learning more than if they were to take a rigid traditional approach with their education.
- Offers a Well-Rounded Education
Another major benefit of a child-centered learning approach is that it is more well-rounded. It’s a cohesive approach to education and development.
In a child-centered classroom, students will be able to utilize their own strengths and interests. Some students are inclined towards physical activities. Some are better suited for cognitive and mental activities. Other students find social skills to come more naturally than others.
Traditional classrooms are often geared only towards students who are excellent test-takers. With a child-centered approach, students can learn new things in a variety of ways. They can experience hands-on activities or take approaches that work better for their individual needs.
Child-centered learning takes a well-rounded approach and encourages holistic development. Students will take different approaches to become familiar with subjects and it won’t all be “book learning”. Hands-on activities and learning will have a big part in a child-centered classroom. Creativity, collaboration, and fun will play a big role as well.
- Integrates Play Into Learning
For children, play is a significant form of learning that should not be underestimated. Having adequate playtime in learning helps to encourage brain development. It also fosters creativity and promotes critical thinking skills. It also helps students to learn how to interact with others socially.
A child-centered approach keeps the important role of play in a child’s development in mind. It helps ensure that young students are getting enough of it in the classroom.
If a classroom is too rigid and focused on paperwork, learning can suffer as a result. Through integrating play into learning, children will have a more memorable experience. They’ll have more fun while learning about subjects that interest them.
Understanding the Advantages of Child Centered Learning
To make the most of a child’s education, it’s important to continue to improve how things are done. A child centered learning approach is a modern approach that aims to give a child a great education that is tailored for them and their unique needs.
Want to learn more about learning approaches? Read our blog now to discover more useful education articles and guides.