Pictures And Visual Learning Techniques In Childhood Education

Learning does not only comprise of knowing your ABCs -  there is a lot more than just that.  Studying in school has long since been equated with rote learning.

Modern techniques of education, however, are moving away from this model and placing more emphasis on ‘Learning’. There are many methods employed in this process to impart learning to students. One of these methods is the use of pictures as an aid to learning.

Learning by Seeing

A child learns various basic skills including behavioral skills by observing the adults which are around her. These skills are learnt by observing and watching the adults and imitating them. These basic skills include speaking, walking and emoting.

This is the most simplistic and most effective process of learning which a child follows almost instinctively. One must keep this fact in mind while embarking on choosing the right system of teaching and learning for the child, in order to ensure that one is enhancing the child’s learning processes.

Understanding How The Brain Works

It is a well known fact that the brain is divided into 2 halves: the left hemisphere and the right hemisphere. Both these sides of the brain gather the same data but the method of handling the information differs.

The left hemisphere of the brain uses analytical, sequential, verbal, linear and symbolic methods of handling the information received. The right hemisphere, however, uses imaginative, visual, metaphorical, spatial, holistic and relational methods to handle the data received.

Many experiments have been conducted by scientists to explore how learning occurs. One of these studies shows that the brain processes information in ‘blocks’ and these blocks contain all the pertinent information about the topic being learnt.

It has also been shown that pictures are directly stored into the brain along with the relevant pertinent information. It is important, however, that these images have to be meaningful for them to be stored into the brain.

Images: The Road to Imagination

Thus, it is clear that in order to ensure that the child learns it is also important to aid the imaginative processes as well. It is not surprising that the word ‘imagination’ is derived from the Latin verb ‘imaginare’ which means ‘to picture mentally’.

Images and pictures usually comprise of several aspects such as color, texture, form, lines, dimensions, visual rhythm and most importantly, imagination. All of these combine together form a cohesive whole in the form of a picture which imparts learning to the child.

There are different types of pictures which are used for teaching children. They are:

• Analogical Images: These are pictures which teach or explain an idea by showing a picture of a similar example.
• Representational Images: These are pictures of things that share a physical similarity with the concept being taught.
• Logical Images: These are pictures which show a logic-based representation of the concepts being taught.

Therefore, it is equally important that pictures are also accompanied by relevant captions. The captions that are used along with these pictures are of two types. They are:

• Descriptive: This is where the caption describes the contents of the image.
• Instructive: This is where the caption talks of the important features of the picture.

Using an effective combination of the above types of images and the relevant captions, important concepts can be easily explained to children. The complexity of these processes depends upon different factors such as the age and the learning capabilities of the child.

These techniques have been proved to be extremely useful for children with learning disabilities and, quite surprisingly, even for children with gifted learning capabilities. These techniques have also demonstrated a marked increase in the verbal skills of children.

Atlases or maps are effective visual learning aids to learn geography

How To Use Images In Learning

There are various methods of using this know-how in the way knowledge is imparted to children. Ever notice why the story books for children have so many illustrations? Usually, the text is accompanied by representational images of the storyline in the book.

Nowadays, there is a growing trend towards using computers and related technologies to impart education. Children happily watch cartoons on television and play games on the computer.

The multimedia capabilities of computers, and the use of images coupled with text in various multimedia applications cannot be ignored. These techniques and technologies are being used to impart learning to children with amazing results.

How Images Help In Learning

This method works simply because it uses the basic instinctive processes of learning which are already present within a child. The child is already using her visual and hearing capabilities to see, hear and understand things around her.

The pictures used are easily comprehended because the brain can compare the pictures with the objects already in its reference data. The words printed next to or below the picture then get easily associated with the picture. If these pictures and words are also accompanied by a verbalization of the word, then that too gets stored into that particular brain ‘block’.

There are different levels of complexity of these combinations depending upon the level of learning of the child. These images can then begin to include logical images such as flow charts and different kinds of graphs to impart complicated processes and comparative data respectively.

Pictures and images trigger the essential simplistic memory storage and comprehension processes of the child’s brain. They help create a capacity for imagination and creative thinking which helps them develop various other abilities such as logical and analytical thought.

These processes have also been linked to various methods of increasing the IQ (Intelligence Quotient) of the child. Images create a more evocative learning process with children by triggering a whole range of associations and help enhance creative thinking and imagination.

© Madhavi Ghare

This article may be reproduced with the author copyright and a link back to http://www.lovingyourchild.com

Additional resources:

• Children’s Activities: Printable Craft & Activity Templates – Encourage your  child’s imagination and creativity with the numerous learning experiences, craft activities and coloring templates while enhancing their gross and fine motor skills. Immerse children in real life maths experiences with the many cooking, counting and puzzle activities.
• Instant Learning® For Amazing Grades – Your child’s learning style may not match their school’s written testing style. New discovery about learning styles raises grades and test scores in just 14 days.
• How To Develop Your Child’s Genius – An information packed package including ebooks and recordings about activities parents can do with their child to increase their intelligence.

Photo source: lusi

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