In our walk through the hall of Learning Modes, let’s look first at Exhibit A: imitation learning. While other learning modes branch out from this one, imitation learning is the foundation of them all.
So what is it?
Imitation learning is modeling a behavior that a student can replicate. It can be intentional or unintentional on the instructor’s part and appears in everything from purely academic forms to the unconcious imitation of emotional responses.
It follows the classic “I do, we do, you do” model where students move with supervision from watching a skill or concept being demonstrated to successfully completing it on their own.
It’s the style that Jesus chose with his twelve disciples, and the type that’s inherently built into a family structure with parents and older siblings modeling behavior for younger ones.
How can we best use this powerful mode of learning?
-Plan the student outcome first. Define what your student or child should be able to understand or do at the end of the learning period (which could be a few minutes, weeks, or even years!)
-Assess (don’t guess!) students’ background knowledge. Observe, ask questions, or provide a warm-up activity to understand what prior knowledge students have.
-Allow plenty of opportunity for students to get hands-on with the new skill. Don’t overwhelm them with lengthy explanations or demonstrations. Get them interested, and move quickly from “I do” to “you do”.
-Provide enough time and supplies for students to mess up. An easy way to avoid frustration on your part is to build in time for students to make mistakes.
-Help your kids experience success in small increments, especially if the ultimate learning goal will take a lengthy amount of time to master. Capitalize on the positive emotional response of mastering small chunks of the skill or concept.
Imitation learning is a fantastic way to teach all sorts of concepts. Some of the skills best suited to this type of learning are:
-Hands-on skills
-Math concepts
-Art and music
-Relational skills: introducing oneself, making requests, handling conflict, etc.
-Study skills: asking good questions, finding reliable resources, comparing information sources
Remember that imitation learning doesn’t end with you. If your child is interested in learning beyond the bounds of what you can offer, seek out other instructors who can model the skills your student is curious in. Especially in this Internet era, many instructors offer free content online. For hands-on skills, tap into your community, church, or neighborhood. Many people are delighted to pass on their skills to an eager learner.
God bless your teaching and learning!
Leah Deegear
-Proverbs 22:6
great wisdom for parenting too!☺️