The preschool years are crucial ones for healthy brain development, and so it’s important to focus on helping preschoolers engage with the world around them during this pivotal phase. But, how do preschoolers learn best? This post will share several ways — some of which may be surprising.
The Element of Play
WonderSchool.com notes that preschoolers learn through play. While that statement, by itself, may not be a big surprise, the degree to which it’s true may be. According to the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, “Play is so important to optimal child development that it has been recognized by the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights as a right of every child.”
Playing with building blocks and drawing, for example, helps preschoolers develop fine motor skills, while outdoor play and dancing assists in building gross motor skills. Block play can set the stage for math skills, while singing and listening to stories lay the foundation for pre-literacy. Group play, meanwhile, helps preschoolers develop socially and emotionally.
These are just some of the many ways in which play drives learning for preschoolers. As children play, they have the opportunity to engage in imagination and, when games are more structured, they can act in ways that guide them toward more targeted learning outcomes.
Hands-On Activities
Hands-on experiences, especially those that are repeated, also facilitate learning. As your preschooler explores an action multiple times, they’re making sense of what’s going on. As they engage with their environment, they observe, ask questions, and assess their surroundings. Parents and caregivers can reinforce connections made by conversing with preschoolers and answering their questions.
A British resource notes that, because children can learn best through their senses, you should give them time and space to explore the world in open-ended ways. Curiosity fuels learning, and parents and caregivers can reinforce this natural childhood trait to support learning. It can be as simple as asking them open-ended questions that start with “I wonder if . . .” and “What happens when . . .” Then you can let preschoolers’ imagination and eagerness to discover new things take it from there.
Carving Out Story Time
TreehouseAcademy.org provides another answer to the question of “How do preschoolers learn best?” Their suggestion: story time! They cite research by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that suggests young children must hear language before they can talk — and the quality of what they hear is an important factor in how they learn.
So read to your preschooler daily, even several times a day when possible. Your child will gain knowledge from the experiences while appreciating the closeness they have to you. Plus, this can be the foundation of a lifelong relationship with books.
Horizon Education Centers’ Preschool Program
Horizon’s preschool program helps to prepare preschoolers socially and academically for kindergarten with experienced teachers that understand how preschoolers learn best. Our program includes a focus on literacy skills, verbal skills, and numbers and letters recognition. We also conduct professional developmental screenings and assessments.
Learn more about our preschool program here.
FAQs
Young children and preschoolers learn best when they are active participants in a learning experience. They need to experience things in a concrete way, meaning they can see, feel, manipulate, touch, hear and sometimes even taste things to figure out how they work.
How do preschoolers learn and develop best? ›
Playing with building blocks and drawing, for example, helps preschoolers develop fine motor skills, while outdoor play and dancing assists in building gross motor skills. Block play can set the stage for math skills, while singing and listening to stories lay the foundation for pre-literacy.
Which is the best method to teach a preschool child? ›
Montessori Method
Developed by Dr Maria Montessori, this is one of the most well-known preschool teaching methods. It focuses on child-centred learning, allowing children to take the lead in their own education. Instead of being fed information, children are encouraged to explore and discover on their own.
How do early childhood students learn best? ›
But educators know the truth: Young children learn best through play, and starting early sets them up for success in life and school. In fact, children start learning from their parents and environment in utero, according to Dr.
What is the best way for children to learn? ›
Offering these different experiences can help a child become resilient, develop their curiosity and social skills.
- Playing. ...
- Being with other people. ...
- Being active. ...
- Exploring new things and experiences. ...
- Talking to themselves. ...
- Communicating about what they are doing with someone who responds to their ideas.
Do preschoolers learn best through play? ›
The evidence keeps mounting that play is the best way for children to learn – and thrive. From our earliest days, play is how we relate to the world, and to each other. When children have plenty of opportunities to learn playfully, they do what they do best: pursue their natural curiosity.
What is the first thing to teach a preschooler? ›
The first thing to teach preschoolers is counting and letters. These skills are foundational to all knowledge they'll acquire throughout the year; starting here is best.
What are three things preschool teachers should do? ›
Preschool teachers educate and care for children younger than age 5 who have not yet entered kindergarten. They teach language, motor, and social skills to young children.
Which teaching method is suitable to a preschooler? ›
One of the most effective teaching strategies for early childhood education is play-based learning. Play is the natural way children learn about the world around them. It allows them to explore, create, problem-solve, and develop important skills such as communication, social interaction, and creativity.
What is the best way to teach a 4 year old? ›
Fun learning activities for 4-year-olds
- Read books together. Read books of all kinds to your child: picture, words and pictures, pop up, information and poetry. ...
- Go to the library. Visiting the library is a great way to explore books together. ...
- Sing counting songs. ...
- Cut and paste. ...
- Dressing up. ...
- Play maths games. ...
- Cook together.
Unique child art on the walls. Age-appropriate learning materials (So look for a number line, but not a multiplication chart, picture books, but not chapter books, etc.) Low shelves with accessible toys. Child-sized tables and chairs.
What are the 4 learning styles? ›
There are 4 predominant learning styles: Visual, Auditory, Read/Write, and Kinaesthetic.
What math do preschoolers learn? ›
Numerical concepts ask the question, “How many?” and are referred to as discrete quantities because they can be counted. Mathematics during the preschool years should focus on number, geometry, measurement, algebra and patterns, and problem-solving.
How do preschoolers learn best by? ›
Your child learns best by actively engaging with their environment. This includes: observing things, watching faces and responding to voices. listening to sounds, making sounds and singing.
What is the number one way children learn? ›
All young children learn through meaningful hands-on experiences—through touching, doing, and moving. And children also learn through seeing and hearing. As you observe your child, you will begin to identify strengths and preferences that tell you something about your child's preferred learning style.
What is the hardest thing for a child to learn? ›
40 OF THE HARDEST THINGS TO TEACH KIDS
- Tying shoelaces.
- Whistling.
- Eating with cutlery.
- Riding a bike.
- How to tell the time.
- Buttoning a button.
- How to swim.
- Brushing their teeth.
How do children learn and develop best? ›
All young children learn through meaningful hands-on experiences—through touching, doing, and moving. And children also learn through seeing and hearing. As you observe your child, you will begin to identify strengths and preferences that tell you something about your child's preferred learning style.
How do children learn and develop in the early years? ›
Children learn through their bodies. Every time they move, their brains build connections. Young children need lots of physical activity to develop their balance, posture and coordination. These are the foundations that will help your child to be physically ready to sit still and concentrate.
How do children learn during the preschool years? ›
Preschoolers and young children are natural scientists– observing the world, asking questions, and testing out their theories. Repeat exposure to ideas, materials, and experiences, solidifies the learning process. Adults can support this by making these connections explicit through questions and conversations.
What is the most important mode of learning for preschoolers? ›
The most important mode of learning during this stage is playing. Make-believe play of all kinds is attractive and fosters the development of language, socialization, and creativity. Interest in exploring their environment promotes early interest in science.