Learning is much more than memorizing information. Neuroscience shows that we retain knowledge better when we experience it, apply it, and connect it to real life.
But how do children learn best? Through experience and solving real-world problems. This way, they develop key skills and make knowledge meaningful.
In this article, we explore how learning works and why innovative strategies are transforming education.
- What is learning and how does it work in the brain?
- Types of learning: How do children learn best?
- The importance of emotion in learning and memory
- How can real-life learning enhance child development? 1. Key elements of experiential learning
- Project-Based Learning (PBL): What it is and why it transforms education
- Why does project-based learning improve children’s memory and performance?
- How does Newport School implement project-based learning in its methodology?
What is learning and how does it work in the brain?
We experience the world in different ways; experiences and emotions make us learn uniquely and unrepeatable—this is a uniquely human trait. The Mexican philosopher Leopoldo Zea said that we are all the same precisely because we are different. We learn in different ways.
But what does it really mean to learn? We learn when our neurons create synapses—connections that strengthen through repetition and application. If we stop practicing, these connections weaken in a process known as synaptic pruning.. In other words, we forget what we don’t use.
Think about this: you didn’t learn to swim from a theoretical explanation, but when you jumped into the water and overcame your fear. You didn’t learn to ride a bike by reading instructions, but by falling and trying again. We learn through experience.
This idea isn’t new. In the 1880s, psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus studied how we forget information over time. His famous Forgetting Curve demonstrated that without reinforcement and application, we forget up to 80% of what we learn in just one week.. The clear takeaway: to retain knowledge, we need to experience it, apply it, and connect it to real life.
Learning Styles: How do children learn best?
The experiences that lead us to knowledge are known as learning styles. While each person has a predominant style, the most important thing is not to limit ourselves to just one, but to combine methods to enhance understanding and learning.
🔹 Visual: Learn best through images, diagrams, or charts. For example: Learning anatomy with illustrations instead of just reading about the body.
🔹Auditory: Learn better when hearing information. For example: Memorizing foreing vocabulary with songs or spoken explanations.
🔹 Kinesthetic: Need movement and hands-on interaction to learn. For example: Understand electricity by building a circuit instead of reading about it.
🔹 Logical-mathematical: Learn by analyzing patterns and solving problems in a structured way. For example: Solving math equations through practical examples and categorization.
🔹 Linguistic: They learn best by writing, reading, and explaining. For example: Better recalling a topic after teaching it to someone else.
But there’s something deeper: we learn best when we combine different styles.. The richer and more varied the learning experience, the stronger the knowledge.
The importance of emotion in learning and memory
Learning is not just rational, it’s emotional.. When something excites us, our brain releases dopaminea neurotransmitter that strengthens memory and neuronal connection.
Why do we remember emotionally impactful experiences so well? Because emotions anchor learning in our minds.
Studies from Yale University have shown that students with high social-emotional development have better academic performance, greater resilience, and better problem-solving skills..
At Newport School, we apply the RULERdeveloped by Yale, to ensure that learning is a comprehensive and meaningful experience. Discover more about RULER here.
How can real-Life learning enhance child development?
For learning to be meaningful, children need to experiment, solve problems and apply what they learn in real contexts.
Memorizing information is not enough, knowledge becomes valuable when it’s lived and used.
Key elements of experiential learning
🔹 Solving real problems: Facing practical challenges stimulates critical thinking and creativity. Example: Designing a recycling system for their school helps children understand environmental impact and resource management
🔹 Learning by doing: Theory is reinforced through practice. Example: Building a bridge in science class to apply physics principles and strengthen understanding through experimentation.
🔹 Teamwork: Collaborating with others promotes social skills and effective communication. Example: Creating a school garden requires joint planning and role distribution.
🔹 Purposeful learning: When children see the usefulness of knowledge, their motivation increases. Example: Applying math to design a budget for a school project reinforces its real-world relevance.
🔹 Reflection and evaluation: Asking questions like “What did I learn?” and “How can I apply this?” helps consolidate knowledge and foster independent learning.
The best way to ensure students truly understand and retain knowledge is to let them experience, create, and solve real-world problems. That’s why methodologies like Project-Based Learning (PBL) are transforming how children learn—ensuring knowledge is not just memorized but applied and integrated into their lives.
Project-Based Learning (PBL): What it is and why it transforms education
The Project-Based Learning (PBL) is an educational methodology that allows students to is an educational methodology that allows students to acquire knowledge and skills by solving real-world problems by solving real problems and developing and developing applied projects, transforming traditional education.
Instead of learning passively, children work in teams, research, design solutions, and present their results, integrating different areas of knowledge.
In their research “The contribution of Project-based learning to high achievers’ acquisition of technological knowledge,” Mioduser and Betzer state that students who engage in PBL have:
✅ Better academic performance: Students who participate in PBL achieve higher grades compared to those who learn through traditional methods.
✅ Greater knowledge retention: Hands-on learning makes it easier to memorize and understand concepts in the long term.
✅ Development of independent learning: Students take an active role in their education by researching and solving problems on their own.
✅ Improved critical thinking and problem-solving: They face real-world challenges, which strengthens their analytical and creative abilities.
✅ Increased motivation and engagement: Working on meaningful projects makes students more involved in their learning process.
✅ Application of knowledge to real life: They can transfer what they’ve learned to situations outside the classroom, improving their future readiness.
Learn more about PBL here.
Why does project-based learning improve children’s memory and performance?
Active learning boosts information retention.. A report from the National Training Laboratories shows that learning retention rates are approximately:
- 10% when we only read
- 20% when we listen
- 50% when we practice
- 90% when we teach others or apply knowledge in real life
Learning by doing not only helps information stick longer, it also turns children into critical thinkers, problem-solvers, and active citizens.
How does Newport School implement project-based learning in its methodology?
At Newport School, project-based learning (PBL) is a core part of the educational methodology. Students start each project with a challenging question, research the issue, design solutions, and present their results.
Teachers act as guides, ensuring that each project integrates critical skills such as logical thinking, creativity and teamwork. critical skills such as logical thinking, creativity and teamwork..
Finally, students share what they’ve learned with the community, completing the learning cycle through reflection on their discoveries and achievements.
This approach helps children develop deeper understanding and acquire practical skills that will serve them for life.
PBL in action: Examples of how children learn by doing
During the most recent Experience Fair, Newport School students presented the results of innovative projects showcasing the impact of PBL.
📌 The Ants Guardians (K5): After noticing classmates stepping on ants, K5 students researched their ecological importance and launched an awareness campaign with posters and school-wide talks.
📌 Green Drops (Stage 1 – Kindergarten): Students explored ways to improve garden irrigation without wasting water. They learned about rainwater collection, designed prototypes, and built a working system.
📌 Speed Boat (Stage 5 – Primary School): How do boats float and move? Students investigated buoyancy and water resistance, designed prototypes, and tested them in a pool—applying physics and design concepts.
📌 Green Drops (Stage 10 – Secondary School): To optimize water usage in the school garden, students designed an automated irrigation system with moisture sensors—applying engineering and technology.
Real Testimony: How Project-Based Learning Transformed Emma's Education
“When Emma came home talking about ants, I thought it was just another school activity. But her excitement surprised me. ‘Mom, did you know ants help plants grow?’ she said, beaming.
She told me they saw some classmates stepping on ants and decided to investigate their role in nature. They talked to experts, conducted experiments and designed a campaign to stop other children from stepping on them.
She learned about ant anatomy, their roles in nature, life cycle, and different types of ants. With her class, they even built a terrarium at school.
It was so rewarding to see her at the project showcase, explaining everything she learned—in English—and teaching us step by step how to build our own terrarium at home. She truly enjoyed the learning experience.
Seeing her like this made me realize how much more effective learning is when children have a real purpose. He wasn’t just memorizing facts about ants, he really understood their importance and wanted to create change in his environment.”
Mom Newport.
Discover a different kind of education at Newport School
📌 Want your child to learn through real, exciting experiences? Learn more about our PBL approach here.
📌 Emotions are key in education. Discover how, as pioneers in Colombia, we implement the RULER curriculum to strengthen our students’ emotional well-being here.
📌 Schedule a visit and see why Newport School is one of the best schools in Bucaramanga here.
Turn each day into an opportunity to learn!
Turn your child’s curiosity into knowledge with 7 hands-on activities for learning by doing.
