Learning by doing

If a child asks an adult “how does this radio work?” The temptation to answer the question is so strong, and the adult wants to show his knowledge, so he explains it. Excitedly, he demonstrates how the radio operates, while the child sits there and observes. Even if the child learns the operation of the radio this way, it gives him the wrong impression about learning: over time he comes to believe that he can turn to others for answers – and get them. This differs tremendously from the adult saying: “Here, take this radio apart and see if you can discover how it works. I’ll be here if you get stuck.” In this second example, the child learns a radio in an unforgettable way. And he learns a much more important subtext: I can figure things out on my own.