<![CDATA[1ST STEP SEPT 2024

Early Learning is multidimensional. It requires the use of all senses, quality interaction and lots of TLC.

As toddlers transition into Pre-school or kindergarten, their brains activate at a rapid pace and the appetite to learn grows more and more. Neurons within the brain are firing and the brain begins to use the two methods to assimilate and store information: Association and Repetition.

As they learn by association, the brain is trying to reference something that is already known to explain something that is not known. Just like when we are trying to understand something new, we use analogies to describe this new concept to make a connection. When someone tells you about a country you have never been to before, and you ask them how it is. They may say, its just like east downtown Houston. From there you gain a reference point for you to help better understand what they are explaining.

For these early learners, this process is happening automatically. Their brains are quickly making these connections to build reference points, so they can make sense of information.

Repetition is where they learn by receiving an impression over and over again. Think about these early learners, they like repetition. They will listen to the same song, read the same book, watch the same movie, over and over again without any fatigue. Why? Each time they are impressed by this information, they gain more and more understanding of it. What is happening, is that in the brain, a brain cell is making a connection every time it learns something new. When that new thing gets impressed with repetition, that brain cell connection gets bigger and stronger. It goes from a small country road transporting information to a multi-lane superhighway.

As their brains develop, begin to show their own unique learning styles. At 1st Step University, we love to foster the environment for each of them to grow in their uniqueness and have fun while learning.