In today’s scenario where parents are “facing increasing pressure to begin their child’s education while still in nappies,” there remains little scope for social development. The early-learning approach and growing importance on a kid’s academic achievements have only resulted in anxiety and poor social skills. While a certain level of structured learning is essential from an early age but it is crucial to understand that experiential learning is also vital for growing in full potential.
What is Experiential Learning?
The concept of experiential learning was developed by David Kolb, a psychologist, who defines the process as a non-traditional form of education that comprises “learning by doing.” Experiential learning helps the child to have hands-on experience on a subject matter, evaluate the results and apply the thoughts to assimilate the knowledge better.
How Experiential Learning can be Impactful in Social Development of Your Child?
Many children struggle hard with their journey towards adolescence and adulthood. This is especially true with kids having emotional, learning, or social difficulties. Does your child have?
• a poor self-esteem
• difficulty concentrating
• trouble interacting with peers in a socially meaningful manner
• stress and anxiety
• problems understanding social cues
If so, traditional academic learning may not help in your child’s social development. Take an approach towards experiential learning that can aid in the following ways:
1. It can be customized depending on the capability of the child: Why conventional learning fails because it follows a one-size-fits-all approach. Regardless of the child’s ability to take social cues and respond to them, traditional academics expect all children to react in the same manner. This may only result in a lack of confidence and self-esteem.
However, experiential learning can be tailor-made to fit the unique needs and scope of improvement in each child. The learning process involves a high level of engagement and interest and is focused on the areas where they need the most improvements. This helps them focus better, gain self-esteem and become more socially confident.
2. It aids in social skill development: Often a child who experiences difficulty interpreting social cues or connecting to peers tends to feel socially alienated. In this scenario, experiential learning can help a child develop social skills while experimenting in a safe and encouraging environment. Such hands-on exercises can provide a child with valuable insights into interacting with others around. Such a learning experience can not only aid in social development but also change the course of your child’s life.
3. It helps the child express better: Learning through play and experimenting enables the child to express their emotional or social difficulties better. They not only learn social skills but also develop leadership qualities and assertiveness. Using the play area to simulate real-life situations can also help them gain the ability to resolve group conflicts or handle a situation in a better way.
As a parent, it is your responsibility to integrate play and experiential learning in addition to conventional academics to help grow social skills in your child. The best Daycare school in Gurgaon often takes the experiential learning approach to help the children grow and develop in all fields.