FACTORS THAT AFFECT LEARNING


     Intellectual – individual’s mental ability level

     Learning factors – study habits

     Physical factors – disabilities, nutrition, etc.

     Mental factors – attitude and one’s beliefs and ideas

     Emotional/Social factors

     Teachers personality

     Environmental factors

 

THE LEARNER

The 20th century has been considered by various experts as the century of the child because so much has been learned of their nature and development that a lot of children have been greatly improved. Before the establishment of child-centered schools of Pestalozzi. Herbart and Froebel the child had the right to listen but not to be heard. However, due to the result of the varios studies made regarding the nature of the child, children now are given the rights and privileges that they should enjoy as legitimate members of the society. Children are known to be marvelous tough, pliable and teachable.


Psychological Characteristics of the Child

     Children are interested to learn

     Children need immediate goals (short term goals)

     Children need routine

     Play plays a vital role in child development

 

Needs of a Child

 

Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of basic human needs

 

     Physiological needs- hunger, thirst, breathing

     Safety and security needs – protection from injury, pain, extremes of heat and cold

     Belonging and affection needs – giving and receiving love, warmth and affection

     Esteem and self -respect needs – feeling adequate, competent, worthy, being appreciated and respected by others.

     Self-Actualization needs – self-fulfillment by using one’s talent and potentials

 

Understanding children’s behavior


Development of positive behavior. Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) believed that by nature men are basically good that what makes man evil are the influences of his society.

 

To develop positive behavior in children, the following must be emphasized:

 

1.          Contribution – children should be encouraged to contribute because this is one way of showing to them that they are an important part of the group.

2.          Responsibility – children should not be encouraged to involve themselves in decision making, and be made responsible for their own behavior and actions within the limits of the group.

3.          Cooperation – children should be encouraged to resolve problems and difficult situations through a concerted effort of all the members of the group.

 

Causes of children’s misbehaviors

 

The American Psychological Association (1993) concluded that a breakdown of family processes and relationships contributes to children’s antisocial behavior. On the other hand, Thuroton and Benning (1993) suggested that the following family variables affect the behavior of the child:

 

1.          Parental supervision and discipline – inadequate, too lax, too strict or inconsistent and erratic.

2.          Parents are indifferent or hostile to the child .They disapprove many things about the child and handed out angry physical punishment.

3.          The family operated only partially as a unit, if at all, and the marital relationship lacked closeness and equality of partnership.

4.          Parents found it difficult to discuss concerns regarding the child and believed that they had little influence on the child. They believed that other children exerted bad influence on their child.

5.          The parents have too much expectation about their child.


BACK