How to nurture independent learners?
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These are the three stages to learning anything!
Here is how it works, using the simple task of teaching young children colours.
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Matching –is it the same or different?
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Children are presented with 2 red bricks are they the same or different.“Here is a green hat and here is a blue hat - are they the same?”
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Odd one out. Two red bricks and one green brick (“that’s not right, it’s not the same”).
Sorting – having lots of objects to choose from not just focusing on one.
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Sorting all the bricks by colour.
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Sorting hats, papers, pegs –basically anything according to colour.
Independent recall/learning – You know they have got it and are able to apply it independently. They can identify colours and name them in any context.
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matching
sorting
independent learning/
recall
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Important note:
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Some children will go through these stages very quickly. When introduced to a new concept, they pick it up very fast and are able to apply it straight away.
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Some children will take a little longer, as each stage will require a few activities or lessons before moving forward.
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Some children will need to spend a long time at the first and then the second stage (sometimes a school term or longer) before they can reach the independent stage.
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Therefore, when planning lessons or activities it is essential to know your child and class to identify which stage they are up to in order to plan appropriate activities.

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