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Children's developing understanding of what and how they learn
David M Sobel1, Susan M Letourneau1
1Department of Cognitive, Linguistic, and Psychological Sciences, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA.
Journal of Experimental Child Psychology
|March 3, 2015
Summary
Children aged 4-10 show developing awareness of learning. Younger children lack understanding, while older children grasp learning as a process with metacognitive insight.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Cognitive Science
- Child Development
Background:
- Understanding children's metacognitive abilities is crucial for educational development.
- Prior research indicates varying levels of awareness regarding learning processes in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate children's understanding of the concept of learning.
- To explore how children aged 4-10 perceive the process and nature of learning.
Main Methods:
- A structured interview approach was used with children aged 4 to 10 years.
- Participants were asked about their definitions of learning and their learning experiences.
Main Results:
- Four- and five-year-olds demonstrated limited awareness of learning.
- Eight- to ten-year-olds exhibited a strong understanding of learning as a process, including metacognitive awareness.
- Six- and seven-year-olds showed a transitional understanding.
Conclusions:
- Children's understanding of learning develops significantly between ages 4 and 10.
- This developmental trajectory in learning awareness has implications for theory-of-mind development in children.
Keywords:
Children’s learningCognitive developmentKnowledge changeMetacognitionSource memoryTheory of mindMore Related Videos
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