A person’s knowledge of a subject might look something like this:

Some areas are built up,others are not, and there areholes that need to be filled in.

A person’s knowledge might also look like this:

This lonely un-integrated puzzle piece may or may not belong there, but the person has accepted it as being true even though it doesn’t connect to anything else. It is called a floating abstraction.

floating abstraction

A better way for a person to learn is to attach new pieces to his existing knowledge...

...like when we work a puzzle from the edges in.

This allows him to integrate the new idea into his knowledge overall,making it easier for him to retaininformation and preventcontradictions.

But, many people are taught in school to learn in a manner more like this:

Their knowledge is full of holes and floating abstractions that do not integrate with, and

might even contradict, other ideas they have.

contradiction

Learning happens naturally.

We become interested in those subjects

we are ready to learn.

Learning should be fun.

It should not be forced.

Encourage areas of interest.

Consider what’s most important.

Guide, don’t force.

Move forward.

Are you or your child having trouble learning?

Recommended Reading

The works of Maria Montessori on childhood learning

The works of Tim Ferriss on speed learning (blog, too)

Charlotte Thomson Iserbyt on the Deliberate Dumbing Down of America

The works of John Taylor Gatto on the effects of public education