This is a question we encounter on a daily basis. Being an activity-based module, we get asked this question quite often, "If children are having fun, are they really learning?"
The answer to this question in our minds is very clear - YES! When you have fun, you are in an open state of mind and it is a very conducive state for learning. The truth is, when children play there is a lot of subconscious learning happening about team work, self-confidence, learning from mistakes etc. Add a little bit of structure and reflective thinking into the mix, you have an ideal environment to not just teach concepts but work through applications. That's what we achieve and it helps children internalize concepts much faster.
Then, there is another question we get asked (rarely, but it does happen), "What do you do to make sure children are having fun?" In order to answer this, I have to mention a basic philosophy of ours - "we aim to create confident thinkers" - fun and activities are just part of the process to get there. While we try our level best to keep things fun, the definition of 'fun' is very subjective and can mean many things to many kids. Especially when it means running around unsupervised, destroying things, watching TV for as long as they want and not engaging in any brain work - that doesn't help their learning process and goes contrary to the whole reason for the program. So, we have to first work on expanding the definition of 'fun' with the children and we are creative thinkers, so if one of our tools/methods/approach does't work, we try others...then, ask the question again!
The answer to this question in our minds is very clear - YES! When you have fun, you are in an open state of mind and it is a very conducive state for learning. The truth is, when children play there is a lot of subconscious learning happening about team work, self-confidence, learning from mistakes etc. Add a little bit of structure and reflective thinking into the mix, you have an ideal environment to not just teach concepts but work through applications. That's what we achieve and it helps children internalize concepts much faster.
Then, there is another question we get asked (rarely, but it does happen), "What do you do to make sure children are having fun?" In order to answer this, I have to mention a basic philosophy of ours - "we aim to create confident thinkers" - fun and activities are just part of the process to get there. While we try our level best to keep things fun, the definition of 'fun' is very subjective and can mean many things to many kids. Especially when it means running around unsupervised, destroying things, watching TV for as long as they want and not engaging in any brain work - that doesn't help their learning process and goes contrary to the whole reason for the program. So, we have to first work on expanding the definition of 'fun' with the children and we are creative thinkers, so if one of our tools/methods/approach does't work, we try others...then, ask the question again!
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