A Natural Learning Environment or Traditional? Which Is Right for Your Child?

The recent health crisis caused a shift in the traditional learning setting, affecting around 94 percent of the world’s student population. It forced the educational sector to adopt new distance learning practices to teach children.

Many students found it hard to adapt to a new environment. However, many parents also found merits in using techniques better suited for the circumstances. One of these is natural learning.

A natural learning environment is any place where your child learns. It can be the backyard, indoors, or the park. It also uses materials and activities that naturally occur in these settings.

How does it differ from a traditional setting? Read on to find out how each learning style benefits your child.

Learning Structure

In traditional schools, children have a firm process to follow. They learn about math in the first period and science in the next one. Teachers set the curriculum before the beginning of the school year, guiding the day-to-day classes.

Natural learning, however, encourages a child to learn at their pace. They develop skills and an understanding of the world according to their natural rhythms.

For example, a child may learn about gravity in fifth grade in a classroom setting. In a natural environment, however, they may familiarize themselves sooner.

When they become curious about how objects fall, they can ask a parent about it. It’s a signal they’re ready to learn the subject, and you can begin teaching it appropriately.

Teaching Techniques

Like we said above, traditional schools follow a fixed process. Their teaching techniques vary with each teacher, but it’s the same for every student.

With natural learning, the teacher observes the learning styles of the student. An example is learning a language – toddlers get better at talking after constant exposure and repetition. You can apply the same techniques for some subjects, like teaching them how to write.

If your child requires special needs occupational therapy, consider natural learning. It frees them of the usual limitations of a classroom.

Problem-Solving Skills

When a child asks you about any subject, it’s only natural you don’t always have an answer. Instead, you can both find answers by reading books, going to a library, or going on the internet. In this way, you can also impart problem-solving skills applied to every subject.

Traditional teaching separates problem-solving skills for each subject. Children may learn different processes with no connection to each other. As a result, using them outside the class might not be intuitive.

Physical Activity

Research supports the idea that nature-based learning promotes physical activity better. In this setting, children spend their time doing educational plays and exploring.

Traditional classrooms require students to be stationary. Meanwhile, natural learning provides more opportunities for gross body movement and other physical activities.

Learn More About Natural Learning

Natural learning allows you to take advantage of the environment. It also allows your child to learn better by following their pace and instincts. However, traditional classrooms provide much-needed structure to children.

Regardless, the better choice for your child will always depend on their needs.

Did you find this guide helpful? To know more, feel free to read our other articles.