The Creative Minds Tutors 4 Stages of Learning

After 16 years of teaching children, I have discovered 4 stages of learning. When I teach my students, it is very apparent which Stage they are in.

Here are the 4 Stages of Learning that I have identified:

I don’t want to learn.

I might want to learn.

I want to learn.

I’m excited to learn.

These stages are fluid, which means, one day a child might feel one way and another day they might feel another way. However, the way I often see these Stages of learning appearing in my lessons is like this.

When a child first starts with me, they will often be in the ‘I don’t want to learn’ stage or the ‘I might want to learn’ stage.

I don’t want to learn.

When a child is in this stage of learning, they will use language like -

‘I don’t know?’

‘Why are you asking me?’

‘Why don’t you just tell me the answer?’

Their body language might be a little rigid and tense.

They might be moving around a lot and unable to sit still.

They might even say ‘I don’t want to do it!’

When a child is in this Stage of learning it is important to listen to them and understand why.

What I see most teachers doing is either telling them off or giving them a consequence.

Do you really think this is going to allow them to progress to the next stage of learning?

No, of course not.

If one of my students is ever in this stage, I stop what we are doing and engage with them. I listen to them. I ask them what is wrong? They will often tell me. It could be as simple as they’ve just had a really bad day or it may be that they genuinely don’t understand how to do it. A child that feels listened to is much more likely to move onto the next stage. If not, I find they remain stuck in this stage for far too long which of course has severe consequences in the long term.

I might want to learn.

In this stage, students are a little more open and receptive. They loosen up a bit and might want to give it a try. However, they are still unsure about it.

In this stage, you might see their eye gaze looking down rather than looking up. You might see them giving certain questions a try but still withdrawing from others. You might see them glancing up occasionally. In this stage, they are thinking about wanting to learn.

When a child is in this stage, they will use language like:

‘Ok, I will try’

‘Can you help me a bit please?’

‘What if I get it wrong?’

‘I don’t want to get it wrong!’

‘I don’t understand it’

They may experience frustrations at time at wanting to learn but not being able to.

This stage is a fine line between moving to the next stage of learning or moving back to the previous one. In this stage, teachers need to be knowledgeable about how to really maintain their attention and spark their interest and build up that love for learning which is inside of them.

We don’t want our students stuck in this stage for very long.

I want to learn.

This stage is always a pleasure. In this stage, students come to the lessons with a thirst for learning. They want to learn.

They will use language like:

‘Tell me more!’

‘When can we do this again?’

‘I get it!’

‘I understand!’

‘Let’s move on!’

‘Let’s learn more’

If is truly a delight.

Their body language is light and open and receptive.

They are glancing up at you and eager and keen to learn.

This is where we get to the best stage in my opinion.

I am excited to learn.

When your child gets to this stage… Wow!

It is just pure delight.

You will hear language like:

‘I want to learn more!’

‘Tell me everything!’

‘Let me write this down!’

‘I love this so much!’

‘I can do it!’

‘Look at me!’

Again, such a delight when I see students in this stage of learning.

This is where I want all of my students to be.

Where I see the Stages of Learning most prominently is in story writing!

See if you can identify which stage of learning your child is in the next time you do some learning together.

Do you have any questions about the Stages of Learning?

Email me directly and I will always reply: office@creativemindstutors.com