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On the move

By on February 1, 2009

Uprooting and relocating again? Having that talk with your children about new schools again? What is the effect of such dramatic changes on kids’ education? Some of us worry that it may be confusing or disruptive to their learning and memory. However, there is good news. A great number of past research in educational and cognitive psychology indicate that such changes in educational environment can be beneficial.

How does changing the environment or the context in which students learn help them? The answer is by providing diverse and enriched cues that help kids remember what was taught.  For instance, how often has a certain scent or some music invoked specific details from your past? The same is true with learning. In fact, the more varied the background setting while learning, the better for retrieving that knowledge later on. This is even more important given that an increasing number of students are learning in uniform environments, fixated in front of a computer.

The benefit is even greater for students who attend schools in different cultures. Whether visiting a local rice farm in Japan for a science lesson, singing French songs, or exploring sea creatures at an aquarium in Australia, our kids are exposed such a variety of background cues while learning. Furthermore, given that children are flexible learners to begin with, imagine the benefits of being exposed to such a great variety of environmental cues while learning in different countries.  They will not only recall the various species of whales, but other details about Australia as well.

Rather than being confused by such an array of learning environments, be assured that you are developing well-rounded and versatile learners who will retain and recall more of what they experienced than those who did not have such opportunity. That’s one more reason for you to feel better when it‘s time to move again.

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