When it comes to effective learning strategies for children, opinions are usually divided. Nevertheless, there are some fundamental ground rules that can ensure a more pleasant and faster learning effect. When overloaded, children lose motivation and homework becomes the ultimate challenge. But even in supposedly hopeless cases, this is no reason to give up, because there are tips on how to make learning easier and more fun.
The right time of day and sensible breaks are key to more effective learning. Knowing the right learning strategies is also half the battle for successful learning progress. In principle, it is recommended that children take a short learning break (5 to 10 minutes is sufficient) after 30 to 45 minutes, but if it is unavoidable and learning periods are forced to be up to 1.5 hours, the learning break should be adapted accordingly to the learning unit (15 to 20 minutes).
Learning breaks should always be used to supply sufficient fluids, and it is also advisable to ventilate the room and provide short periods of exercise. The room temperature, which should be around 20 degrees, can also make an important contribution to more effective learning.
As for the time of day or daytime of the learning phases, many mistakes can be made, because one must take into account the biorhythm of information processing. This states that people are most receptive between 9 and 11 a.m., i.e., children learn fastest during this time period. The situation is different at midday, however, because between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. the body falls into a natural midday slump, although between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. this slump is usually overcome and learning can continue. In fact, information is best stored in the long-term memory at this time.