A child only really remembers what he's learnt by putting it into practise, and there's no better way to do this than with his parents' help at home, writes Alistair Owens
Practising learning
The learning process combines listening, reading and observation but the most significant activity to retain and develop learning is by putting it into practice. That may be stating the obvious, yet the ‘practice' element is possibly the most underutilised.
Learning Pyramid is a model that helps us to understand how learning takes place. It shows that 75 per cent of learning retention is associated with the ‘practice in doing' activity, and only 5 per cent from listening to a lesson.
But the opportunity to ‘practice' in school is extremely limited due to pressure on the teachers' time and the availability of resources. As a child spends only 15 per cent of their time in school there was a much bigger opportunity to enlist parents to help complete the practice in doing task at home.
The 'Doing' element
The K2 Learning Mountain diagram below is based on the learning pyramid developed by the National Training Laboratories in the USA. It illustrates the retention of information achieved from the differing aspects of learning. The climb starts at base camp with classroom lessons with the teacher, but as the diagram shows only 5 per cent is retained if this were the only activity. Progression up the mountain is achieved by a child climbing through each activity.
Climbing the K2 Learning Mountain from foundation through all four key stages of the National Curriculum can now benefit from additional support in the one key activity that could be missing - ‘practise by doing'. With 75 per cent learning retention this is the easiest activity in which parents can get involved.
A teacher's workload is continually increasing with changes in the curriculum and working practises. The opportunity for them to improve the practice content of the learning mountain looks remote. A recent survey of headteachers and teachers from the UK and overseas expressed an overwhelming desire to capture the practical and productive support of parents in the schooling process. Reinforcing classroom lessons at home helps to build confidence and competence in a child that pays dividends back in class. They see prescriptive advice being given to the parent dynamically would improve the performance of a child - rather than waiting for the end of term report or the annual parent's night when it might be too late to catch up.
Parents supporting their children in this manner are able to develop a keener understanding of the curriculum and help their child to develop confidence and enjoy learning. Compelling evidence shows that practice at home in a relaxed and fun environment is highly beneficial to the child, parent and school.
Using resources
Modern teaching resources capturing technology and developments in education have developed immeasurably over the past 10 years. Matched to the National Curriculum they involve computer interaction games, board games and the latest teaching aids used extensively in the classroom. They are ideal for practice use at home, and available to cover the age range from foundation though Key Stage 1 to 4.
Homework in this form, supplemented by the parent in a relaxed and fun way to reinforce the classroom lessons, substantially develops the confidence and ability of a child. Many of the resources have an inbuilt timer to let the child monitor their improving speed which can be tremendous asset in ongoing tests and exams. Teaching ability is not required as the resources are very straightforward and come with teaching support notes where necessary.
Parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts can now provide a child with a new level of support and encouragement, and many have found that the experience mutually rewarding, rekindling their own knowledge and desire to continue to learn.
