How Do Children Learn Best in the Early Years?

In the early years, children build the foundations for learning, social skills, and emotional wellbeing. They learn best through strong relationships, meaningful play, repetition, and hands-on exploration. Understanding these principles helps parents and caregivers support learning in everyday life. At Mini Masterminds, we see every day how children excel when given the right environment and guidance at home and in their early learning centre. This is why we follow the best practices to ensure every child’s learning, development, and curiosity are supported in a safe, engaging, and nurturing way.

Why Are Relationships So Important for Learning?

Children learn language, skills, and confidence through responsive interactions with adults. When they feel safe and understood, they are more willing to explore, take risks, and engage deeply in learning.

Ways to Support Learning Through Relationships:

• Read stories together and talk about the characters’ choices.
• Ask open-ended questions like, “Why do you think that happened?”
• Encourage cooperative play, taking turns, and sharing ideas.
• Provide consistent routines and reassurance, helping children feel secure.

How Does Play Help Children Learn?

Play is how young children explore ideas, solve problems, and make sense of the world. Different types of play (imaginative, physical, creative, and construction) build different skills, from coordination and communication to emotional understanding.

Signs of Learning During Play:

• Experimenting and testing ideas, such as mixing water and sand or trying different ways to stack blocks.
• Practicing social skills like sharing, turn-taking, and negotiating roles.
• Solving problems, e.g., figuring out how to balance a tower or complete a puzzle.
• Expressing feelings and creativity through art, music, or storytelling.

Why Is Repetition Important for Early Learning?

Repetition helps children practise skills until they feel confident and capable. It works best when learning is woven into daily life, giving children many meaningful chances to try, adjust, and master new skills over time.

Ways to Include Repetition in Daily Life:

• Repeat songs, rhymes, and stories to reinforce language and memory.
• Practice everyday skills like dressing, pouring drinks, or cleaning up toys.
• Count objects during daily routines, such as plates at the table or steps while walking.
• Introduce the same concepts in different ways, e.g., matching shapes during play, in books, and outdoors.

How Does Exploration Encourage Learning?

Exploration taps into children’s natural curiosity and supports learning through the senses. Hands-on experiences help children connect ideas to real life, build problem-solving skills, and develop resilience as they experiment and try again.

Ideas for Exploration:

• Nature walks: Observe plants, insects, and weather patterns.
• Sensory play: Experiment with water, sand, or different textures.
• Everyday science: Baking, mixing paints, or watching plants grow.
• Real-world observation: Trips to parks, farms, or even the backyard.

Why Do Children Need Clear Boundaries and Routines to Learn?

While play and exploration are essential, children also learn best when their days feel predictable and safe. Clear routines and gentle boundaries help children understand what comes next, what’s expected of them, and how to manage big feelings when something is hard or unfamiliar.

Ways to Support Learning Through Routines and Boundaries:

• Keep daily routines consistent where possible (wake-up, meals, play, and bedtime).
• Give simple, clear instructions, one step at a time.
• Offer choices within boundaries (e.g., “Do you want the red cup or the blue cup?”).
• Prepare children for transitions (“In five minutes, we’re packing up the toys.”).
• Use calm, consistent responses when limits are tested, and acknowledge feelings (“I can see you’re upset. It’s time to stop now.”).

How Can Parents Support Early Learning Every Day?

Everyday routines already contain plenty of learning opportunities. By combining connection, play, repetition, and exploration in simple ways, parents can support development without needing complex activities or special programs.

Parent Checklist for Everyday Learning:

• Offer choices and allow children to explore their interests.
• Encourage questions and curiosity in all situations.
• Make play meaningful by providing materials and space to experiment.
• Repeat key skills in daily routines to build confidence and mastery.
• Observe and respond to learning moments, celebrating effort as well as achievement.

By supporting children through these approaches, we can create a learning environment that prepares children for future success, while also making learning enjoyable and meaningful every day.

At Mini Masterminds, we create a safe and playful childcare for toddlers, babies and preschool age, where children explore, learn, and build confidence. If you are searching for a trusted childcare centre in your local area, call us on 1300 336 464, and one of our friendly enrolment team members will be able to answer your questions.