Let me remind you of something you may have forgotten or don’t like to acknowledge.
Learning can often be a struggle.
Not just for you, but also for your children, other adults and their children.
Sometimes learning new things might come easily, but more often than not, it comes with feelings of discomfort, angst and self doubt.
The Learning Pit, a concept developed by James Nottingham, normalises this struggle and the feelings of confusion, frustration and discomfort that come with it.
You can help your children to embrace the struggle that often comes with learning by reminding them of the benefits of being in The Learning Pit.
Consciously entering The Learning Pit encourages learners to ask questions, try new things, develop their abilities and deepen their learning.
Let’s have a closer look at the typical self-talk that is associated with the different stages of The Learning Pit:
Stage One: “I think I know the answer.”
Learners are at the start of their journey and haven’t yet entered The Learning Pit.
Stage Two: “This is not as easy as I thought.”
The learner’s confidence is being shaken by the realisation that the skill, information or activity they have in front of them is not as straight forward as it initially appeared.
Stage Three: “I’m confused.”
This is a crucial stage for the learner and their supporters. Will the learner become stuck at the bottom of The Learning Pit and give up on their learning or will they persist? Will their supporters encourage and celebrate persistence?
Stage Four: “I need to work hard at this.”
This is a key mindset for the learner to have and their supporters to encourage, because it helps the learner to persist, even though what they are doing is challenging.
Stage Five: “I think I’m getting it.”
The learner’s helpful self talk and persistence at the bottom of The Learning Pit has resulted in progress towards learning and renewed feelings of confidence.
Stage Six: “Eureka! I understand it now.”
The learner has not only been successful in learning the task, skill or information that was in front of them, but they have also developed important habits of mind during their journey through The Learning Pit.
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Now go and have a great life.