Story Copyright © Roy Zuuring 1996 - Background courtesy of K'nex Company

Hello and welcome Thanks for visiting

Developing Skills

Children are natural "sponges". They have the ability to learn very quickly and to learn very well. The problem with children is that they have no idea what patience is. This is foreign to them and many children are just naturally impatient. The more involved and difficult the task, the more impatient they will be. I have found this out first-hand and have spent many an hour trying to explain things to children. Sometimes it is just impossible. If you can't get through to them in the first minute, you will have lost their interest and you might as well try another day.

I have found that the best way to teach skills to children is to lead by example. Children always learn far more successfully by visual example and by the sense of touch. Talking to them and showing them bookswill only satisfy their curiosity but may not necessarily teach them anything. They need a "hands-on" approach to learning. A child doesn't need interpretation when looking at, or touching something. The skills they develop this way will go directly to memory (without thinking). Look at how successful these science centres and new museums are that have "interactive exhibits" (pushing a lot of buttons). This isn't by accident that they have designed these exhibits this way. Kids eat this stuff up and love to learn by doing and watching. Kids don't want to know anything about theory. They want to do it and do it now.

Here is proof. A young boy I know loves video games. He is "into" these games like many other young boys and girls. He has all the latest software titles and loves to rent new ones once in awhile. He is a master at some of these games already. One of the games has over 100 levels and he has completed the game through each level, on his own. This boy is only 6 years old ! When I have spent time with him playing these video games, I have managed to get through about 10 levels (and I am pretty good). He laughs and shakes his head at how "dumb" I am. He has to teach me how to negotiate the more difficult levels. He gets such a charge out of teaching me the subtle tricks of the controller. He still plays the game from time to time, but he is now losing interest because it isn't a challenge any more. He has learned everything about the game that there is to know. By the way... he never read the manual or looked at the instructions once. They are still in the original box.

One day during the winter, I challenged him to a new game that neither of us had ever seen or played before. We took our turns (2 player mode) and tried our "prowess" at this new adventure. To my surprise, we were identical in skill. We both finished our first game on the same level. I did notice a difference though in our technique. He went full speed ahead and tried to dodge and manoeuvre by everything to get to the final "window" on the level (finishing sequence). I on the other hand, went for points and tried to hit and smash everything that got in my way. I went looking for trouble. The differences between us made the learning experience that much more fun for both of us. I showed him how to destroy enemies and collect bonus points, while he paved the way out of the level. We played this game for 6 hours straight. It was time well spent.

From this experience and others since, I have learned that most children seem to learn many of their skills by repeated trial and error. They will look at something, try it, then fail. They will look at it again, try it again, make a little progress, then fail again. They will try it again, make some further progress, reach a plateau of comfort then fail again. They will now return to the plateau, take a breath and then try to go further. It is like climbing a ladder that never ends. They keep at it until they have a sense of accomplishment or they will just give up out of sheer frustration. The key to keeping them interested is simple encouragement. Video games encourage you by adding points along the way or reaching a "plateau" (level). I believe that repeated encouragement by an adult (or a close friend) can help teach a child anything.

An adult demonstrating a skill, encourages a child to learn that skill. They do want to be like an adult, so learning it from an adult is really "very cool". The key is to do it slowly and with patience. You may have to repeat the skill several times and you have to show them directly. They have to somehow relay all this new information to their own memory. Repeated demonstration will help imprint the process by trial and success.

One of the reasons children have a short attention span with toys is because some of them are just way to complicated. I have spent many an hour playing with "Lego" blocks and "K-Nex" pieces to know just how complex some of these "toys" can be. No wonder a 6 year old gives up so fast. They can't handle it just on their own. They need someone older to help build all those neat animals and structures you see in the brochure (the ones that encourage you to buy all those accessory kits). A child can only learn if someone teaches them. You have to visually show them how all the pieces connect. You have to let them help you build something first, so they can see how you do it. Once they see how you do it, they can do it for themselves. They will be watching you and learning. The second time around you can build something together (perhaps a bigger more elaborate project). Once that is completed and you have both enjoyed it for awhile, you tear it down and let the child build something. This time, you watch. You help the child build the structure. This is their project. You are only there for assistance now. Once the child has finally completed the project, you can both admire the wonderful work. You then congratulate the child for a good job (because you are the master builder) and then you set the child free. You have "planted the seed" that has started the child on his own path of discovery and creativity. The attention span will now be driven by passion and curiosity, not just "filling time". You have spent the time to teach the child an "adult" skill. They saw you do it, so they think this is a grown-up thing. They will be intrigued.

So, my experiences have taught me that teaching children anything can be very easy as long as you show them. The skills have to be simple and straight-forward so they can understand. If it is a complicated skill you are trying to teach, you may have to break it down into smaller components that children can piece together on their own. Riding a bike is one of those "complicated" skills. You have to teach them balance, momentum, steering, braking, and the ability to pedal (all at the same time). If you try and teach all these skills at once, they will "fear" riding the bike. There is too much to know ! The answer to successful cycling skills is to learn all the components "one at a time". They will learn and "feel" the skills one at a time and when they have put the pieces all together, they will ride the bike. I have done this on 6 different occasions with 6 different children. This technique does work well.

Developing skills in young children has got to be one of the most rewarding things for a parent or a teacher. It gives you such a feeling of pride and happiness to know that you have "planted a seed" that has taken root. It is one of life's little treats.

Pure and simple...

'97 Book Archives

[Homeworx] [Storyworx] [BMG Strikers] [About Me] [Hobbies] [Awards] [Favorites] [Mail]

- This storyworx page was last updated on January 25th, 1998 -