How Do Children Learn? 11 Ways Kids Learn and Develop

Have you ever watched your child play and wondered how much they are actually learning? The truth is, children don’t just learn in a classroom setting.

Pretend cooking toddler.

Every child learns in their own way, for example, some like to be active, while others prefer to just listen, observe or even experiment.

If they at least have choices you will be helping them to develop their curiosity and strengthen their social skills.

Discover how you can support your child’s learning at home. Below you will find 11 key ways that children learn according to The Department of Education

1. Learning Through Play

Children learn best through play—whether it’s indoors, outdoors, alone, or with friends. Play helps them:

     ✅ Discover new ideas and problem-solve

     ✅ Develop creativity and imagination

     ✅ Take risks and learn from mistakes

     ✅ Build confidence and independence

How to support this: Encourage unstructured playtime with toys, games, and outdoor activities. Let them explore freely!

2. Learning From Others

✅ Social interactions with both children and adults help kids develop emotional security and communication skills.

Allow them to watch you and others while also engaging in conversations.

This will help to stimulate learning and it will also encourage cooperation.

How to support this: Arrange playdates, attend community events, and engage in everyday conversations with your child.

3. Learning Through Movement

✅ Young children learn through physical activity.

Movement helps them process experiences, develop coordination, and retain information.

Just sitting around all of the time can be disruptive to their learning.

How to support this: Encourage outdoor play, dancing, jumping, and hands-on activities that get them moving!

4. Exploring New Experiences

Little girl on beach exploring and digging.

✅ Children’s natural curiosity drives them to explore their surroundings.

Hands-on activities allow them to make sense of the world.

How to support this: Take them on nature walks, visit museums, try new foods, or introduce different textures and materials at home.

5. Talking to Themselves (Self-Speech)

✅ Ever heard your child talking to themselves while playing? This self-speech helps them to process their thoughts, practice skills, and regulate emotions.

How to support this: Give them space to talk through their ideas. Encourage imaginative play where they can role-play different scenarios.

6. Communicating With Others

✅ Before they can fully speak, children communicate through gestures, facial expressions, and sounds.

When they participate in conversations with parents and other adults this is helping them to develop their language skills.

How to support this: Listen to your child, respond to their questions, and engage in back-and-forth conversations.

7. Representing Ideas Through Art and Play

✅ Children express themselves through drawings, role-play, and storytelling. When they engage in these types of activities they are developing critical thinking skills and processing their emotions.

How to support this: Provide art supplies, encourage storytelling, and support pretend play.

8. Facing Challenges and Problem-Solving

✅ Kids build resilience and confidence when they encounter challenges and work through solutions.

How to support this: Encourage problem-solving by asking open-ended questions and allowing them to figure things out on their own.

9. Learning by Watching Others

✅ Children observe and mimic adults and peers, learning social norms and practical skills through imitation.

How to support this: Be a positive role model. Show your child how to do things step by step and let them try on their own.

10. Practicing and Repeating Skills

✅ Repetition helps children build mastery and confidence in their abilities.

How to support this: Give your child opportunities to practice new skills without rushing them. Celebrate their progress!

11. Having Fun While Learning

Toddlers sitting beside one another having fun/

✅ Children learn best when they are having fun. Activities that cause them to be excited and laugh a lot will keep their brains active making them more eager to learn.

How to support this: Make learning playful. Teach them new concepts such as singing songs and playing new games.

Final Thoughts

Children are natural learners, constantly absorbing information from their surroundings. You’ve likely heard the saying “Children absorb information like a sponge.”

They do, and it’s up to you to help them learn what’s right & wrong, by encouraging play, exploration and meaningful interactions.