The central question of both parenting and teaching is: how do children learn? This is a topic that’s important for every parent, teacher, and guardian. When we observe young children, it seems as if their world is completely different. Everything is new to them, and they strive to learn every moment.
In the early years, children, especially those in the 0-5 age group, are like sponges—they absorb everything they see, hear, and feel. Observation and imitation play a crucial role in this process.
How Children Learn – Basic Understanding
First of all, it’s important to understand that how children learn isn’t limited to school books or the classroom. Learning is a natural process that happens everywhere – at home, in the park, with relatives, watching TV, and observing parents’ activities.
Children are natural observers. They silently notice their environment and then practice imitating it. This is called “learning by observation and imitation.”
Observation – The First Step of Learning
Observation means looking at things carefully.
- When a toddler sees his mother eating food with a spoon, he stores that image in his mind.
- When a small child sees his father wearing shoes, he also tries to do the same.
Imitation – Practice and Action
The next step after observation is imitation. Children try to repeat what they see. This is called imitation.
- If the mother is cutting vegetables in the kitchen, the child will copy the same with his toy knife.
- If father is calling on mobile, then the child will pick up his toy phone and arrange it in the same manner.
Imitation gives children a sense of achievement, feeling like they’re doing something similar to what adults are doing.
Why Observation and Imitation are Powerful
Natural learning process
The child does not have to be forced, he learns naturally.
Fast Absorption
Whatever they see and copy stays in their mind for a longer time.
Builds confidence
When they successfully complete the exercises, their self-confidence increases.
Develop social skills
They learn social rules by observing parents, siblings, family and friends.
Real-Life examples
1. If we repeatedly use words like sorry and thank you in front of a toddler, he will also start using these words.
2. When children see their elder sisters doing their school homework, they also start repeating the action by taking pen and notebook.
3. In TV ads or cartoons, when the characters say a catchy line, children imitate it immediately. For example, almost all toddlers remember any famous dialogue of Shinchan or Nobita.
Role of Parents and Teachers
You might be wondering, if children learn through observation and imitation, what should we do? It’s simple—expose them to positive things and create a healthy environment so they can learn good language, good words, good manners, and good habits simply by watching and observing you. Doing this in the early childhood years is said to be the best way to build lifelong learning.
1. Be a positive role model
Children imitate your every word and action. If you remain polite, positive, confident, sympathetic, grateful, and respectful, they will become the same.
2. Create a learning environment
Having books, toys, and creative activities at home will help children observe and learn quickly.
3. Encourage them
Always praise your child when they do something right. This will motivate them even more.
4. Limit negative exposure
If you display aggressive language or unhealthy habits in front of them, they will imitate the same. Therefore, always demonstrate positive behaviour and habits in front of your children.
How Children Learn Best through Observation and Imitation
Daily Routines
Simple household tasks like setting the table, folding laundry, putting away shoes, arranging their toys, and picking up their things—these are all learning opportunities for children. They help them feel confident.
Play Activities
Role play games like doctor-doctor, teacher-student or cooking play sets strengthen their observation and imitation skills.
Social Interaction
When children play with other children, they learn new things by observing them. This adds new words to their vocabulary, shares culture, and makes them more expressive.
Storytelling and Rhymes
When they see their parents telling stories or reciting rhymes, they also start imitating them. This helps develop expression, language skills, and memory.
Challenges in Observation and Imitation
Every process has some challenges that can be defined as :
Copying Negative Behaviours
Children imitate both good and bad things. If they see elders fighting or displaying other negative behaviors, they may mirror the same behavior.
Over-Imitation
Sometimes children unconsciously copy actions that could be unsafe (like picking up scissors or touching the gas stove). Therefore, it is very important to pay attention to children during this process, and especially to keep an eye on small children. Parents should also be very observant of their own behaviour.
Screen Exposure
Excessive TV or mobile use causes children to interact with ads and unnecessary things. It is important to avoid this.
Tips for parents
1. Use your words and actions consciously so that children pick up only positive behaviour and habits.
2. Do your daily tasks in front of your child in a positive way, so that he also starts doing the same.
3. Give them a chance to observe healthy habits (e.g. brushing teeth, exercising, reading).
4. Support their imitation and guide them in the correct way.
Conclusion
So, when we ask the question of how children learn, the simple answer is – primarily through observation and imitation. Every child is a born observer and a natural imitator. What they see, they learn. Therefore, we must expose them to actions and words that are healthy and positive for their development, so that they develop a positive, confident, and strong foundation for their future.
Observation and imitation is a powerful learning process that gives children a strong foundation—whether it’s language learning, social behavior, or daily life skills. If parents and teachers understand and utilize this natural process, children will automatically become confident and responsible individuals.