13 Unexpected Factors That Help Children and Adults Learn

Contents:

• Natural companions outside our window
• Clean air
• Normal weather
• Ceilings that do not reach great heights
• Living in close proximity to an educational institution
• Changing the environment for effective knowledge retention
• Exercise
• Eating the right breakfast
• Interacting with beloved pets
• Small, but a strong circle of four to six friends
• Board games
• Teacher style and posture
• Voice characteristics and speech features of the teacher

There are many factors that directly influence academic achievement, and many of them are quite obvious. These factors include students' cognitive abilities, their effort and motivation, their self-confidence to succeed, their stress levels, the professional skills of their teachers, and the overall quality of the educational environment. Support from families and teachers, as well as the learning strategies that students use, should also be considered.

Further information on these factors can be found in the following articles:

• "Nine Aspects Influencing Academic Achievement in Educational Institutions"
• What mental skills contribute to successful learning?
• The need for knowledge is a person's desire to acquire new knowledge and understand the world around them. This interest can manifest itself in various forms: from a basic desire to understand everyday phenomena to a deep passion for science and art. However, it is worth noting that this need manifests itself with varying intensity in different people.

  The reasons why some people have a more pronounced thirst for knowledge can be varied. This depends on personal characteristics such as curiosity and openness to new experiences, as well as the social environment and cultural context. Furthermore, factors such as education, life circumstances, and family influence can also significantly influence the development of this need.

  Thus, differences in the level of desire for knowledge among different people can be explained by a combination of personal and environmental factors that shape the unique paths of their cognitive activity.

• "9 questions about how genetic factors influence the growth and learning of children"
• "11 components that contribute to active participation in the educational process"
• "Motivation to learn: scientific theories and their explanations"
• "The influence of the skill of managing your motivation on academic achievement"
• Which approach to teaching helps increase student motivation?
• "Approaches to metacognition: how to teach children and adults self-knowledge skills in the learning process."

There are also less obvious aspects that influence academic achievement. The results of some studies in this area may seem funny at first, but then provoke thought. We've compiled a selection of unexpected scientific findings about the factors that contribute to successful learning in both children and adults.

Natural Companions Outside Our Window

In 2023, a study was conducted in which American scientists studied the behavior of two groups of elementary school students aged 7-9. The first group's classrooms had windows overlooking trees, while the second group had windows overlooking only buildings. The results of the experiment showed that the differences between the groups were not only related to the environment: the researchers found that children who looked at the trees were less likely to exhibit aggression and hyperactivity. In addition, this group showed better academic results compared to the second.

The importance of maintaining a connection with nature must be emphasized for adults, as demonstrated by one study conducted by American scientists. As part of the experiment, participants solved complex intellectual tasks and then went for a 40-minute walk. Upon returning, they were faced with more tasks. Interestingly, the results of these tasks varied depending on whether they walked through a park or among the campus buildings. Participants who chose the route in the park demonstrated a greater ability to concentrate. Scientists came to the conclusion that interaction with the natural environment contributes to the effective release of stress after mental work and plays an important role in the learning process.

Clean Air

A group of scientists from Finland discovered a link between the results of final exams in mathematics and the level of air pollution in the areas where these exams were held. In particular, the study focused on one specific type of pollutant - fine particles, which are no more than 2.5 micrometers in size. These particles include tiny dust particles, liquid droplets, and microorganisms.

The researchers conducted an analysis, comparing information from weather stations and the results of examinations in Finnish schools for the period 2006 to 2016. The results showed that grades in most subjects were not associated with air pollution levels. However, on the days when students took a math exam, a slight increase in fine particulate matter concentrations in the atmosphere near the school was associated with lower test scores.

Normal Weather

According to the results of a study conducted in Oklahoma, excessive heat on exam day can negatively affect student grades. However, this situation has its nuances. It turned out that in an uncharacteristically warm spring, schoolchildren demonstrate worse results on math tests. At the same time, in the fall, an increase in temperature does not affect exam results.

Scientists have found that in September, students often perceive high temperatures as a normal occurrence, since the summer months are behind them, when the temperature in their region almost always exceeds 32°C. In contrast, warm weather in May can distract children and negatively impact their well-being, which in turn leads to lower test scores in such conditions.

Ceilings that don't reach very high

A study of exam results conducted at an Australian university between 2011 and 2019 found that students performed worse on assignments in classrooms with high ceilings reaching 9.5 meters.

Mass written exams are organized in spaces such as sports halls or assembly halls to prevent cheating. Splitting students into different classes with invigilators assigned to each of them would be too costly.

Scientists emphasize that mass exams have their drawbacks. Perhaps it's not the high ceilings themselves that are depressing for students, but factors such as poor lighting, cold or, conversely, excessive heat in classrooms, and the large number of participants during exams certainly have an impact.

Living in close proximity to an educational institution

A group of Italian scientists, who analyzed data on students from Milan, came to the conclusion that the best academic results are achieved by those who get to the university in five minutes or less. In turn, students whose commute to the institution takes 15 minutes or more had an average grade that was one and a half points lower.

The researchers conclude that the comprehensive development of university campuses is important. When student residences are located close to classrooms, this significantly improves the quality of life for students. The commute to class is simplified, eliminating the need to spend time on tedious commutes and waking up too early to make it to the first class. Furthermore, this proximity opens up more opportunities for active engagement in the academic process and various extracurricular activities. Participation in such activities has also been shown to improve academic performance.

Changing the Environment for Effective Knowledge Reinforcement

Researchers in psychology at the University of California have found that new information is learned more effectively in a varied environment. This contributes to better retention. Roughly speaking, it is useful to review the same chapter of a textbook while in different places: for example, in different classrooms, in different rooms of your home, in a park, on public transport, or in any other locations.

The reasons for this phenomenon remain a matter of conjecture. Human nature is such that we involuntarily focus on the details of the world around us—even when we're focused on something, for example, studying a paragraph in a textbook or listening to a lecture. At such moments, our gaze might accidentally stop on the pattern of the curtains. These details become imprinted in our memory and can later act as associative cues, facilitating the recovery of the information we were trying to remember at that moment.

The more varied the surrounding elements, the more associations arise, which contributes to better memorization of information. This is why it's beneficial to change the environment. You can learn more about this phenomenon here.

Read also:

Retrieval practice is a method that promotes memorization of new information. This approach involves actively recalling learned material, which helps cement knowledge in memory. Instead of simply repeating information or rereading text, students actively try to recall and retrieve information, which stimulates deeper understanding and better absorption. This process not only improves memorization but also promotes a more stable consolidation of knowledge in long-term memory.

Sports

The stereotype that an excellent student is a "nerd" who outperforms his peers in intellectual development but lags behind in physical education classes turns out to be incorrect. Numerous studies show that children and adolescents who are highly physically active often demonstrate better academic results.

One study conducted among four thousand children in the UK revealed interesting results. Schoolchildren who actively participated in sports had higher grades. What explains this? Scientists suggest that participation in sports helps develop emotional regulation and planning skills, which in turn has a positive impact on academic performance.

The authors of a study conducted in Switzerland reached a similar conclusion. They claim that children who participate in sports demonstrate stronger executive functions, such as self-control and working memory. This, in turn, contributes to their academic success.

Scientists and specialists are developing unique educational programs that integrate physical education with the study of various disciplines.

Read also:

Scientists conducted a study to determine the period at which executive functions of the brain begin to develop in adolescents.

The Right Breakfast

An Australian study conducted among adolescents in grades 7–9 revealed the negative impact of skipping breakfast on academic motivation and knowledge acquisition. Participants who do not eat breakfast before school demonstrate lower brain function. At the same time, schoolchildren who regularly eat in the morning are distinguished by a high level of adaptive motivation, which implies confidence in their abilities. They also show greater interest in the subjects they study and a desire to understand the material more deeply. It's not just whether a student eats breakfast that matters, but also how healthy their morning meal is. In the study, a breakfast was considered high-quality if it included fruits and vegetables, dairy and protein products, and whole-grain bread or cereal. Conversely, a breakfast containing sugary drinks, processed meats (such as sausage and bacon), fast food, baked goods, or snacks like chips was considered low-quality. Children who preferred low-quality breakfasts were more likely to have maladaptive motivation—this manifests itself in increased anxiety about studying and exams, when a student tries to study to avoid judgment and to avoid looking stupid, rather than out of interest or a desire to achieve any goals.

Scientists have found that both the presence and composition of morning food have a significant impact on the psycho-emotional state of students, including their motivation. In turn, the level of motivation directly affects academic success. In this regard, they recommend more active communication about the principles of healthy eating and the introduction of a system of healthy snacks in educational institutions.

Interaction with beloved pets

Last year, an interesting experiment was conducted in Israel, in which dogs became assistants in the educational process. Younger schoolchildren who needed additional reading practice were given the opportunity to read aloud not only to themselves but also to their four-legged friends. The results were positive: children who had a pet as a companion demonstrated greater persistence in their reading and significantly improved their reading skills.

The researchers emphasize that reading aloud to parents, classmates, or teachers could be more effective. However, in practice, this is not always feasible, and some children may feel awkward reading in front of others. In this context, dogs are excellent listeners: they are attentive and do not judge.

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An interesting approach: how truly outstanding "boys" are introduced into the educational environment.

A Small but Strong Circle of Four to Six Friends

Chinese scientists analyzed data collected from a large number of American schoolchildren and found a correlation between the number of close friends the respondents reported on questionnaires and their intellectual abilities.

Research has shown that adolescents with four to six close friends demonstrate the best indicators of memory development, information processing speed, language skills, and executive functions of the brain. At the same time, students with fewer than three or more than six friends are more likely to experience difficulties in these intellectual areas and may experience problems with their psychological well-being.

In this study, data on the number of friends was collected through surveys among schoolchildren. The researchers concluded that having too many friends does not necessarily negatively affect academic ability. Perhaps teenagers who report having seven or more close friends actually mean acquaintances, while they may lack truly close social ties. There is significantly more evidence to support the idea that loneliness has a negative impact in general, especially for young people who are growing and developing. This, in turn, is reflected in academic performance.

Board Games

These are games intended solely for leisure, without an emphasis on educational goals. Spanish scientists conducted a study involving 522 elementary school students, which demonstrated that children who actively play board games master literacy and arithmetic skills faster.

The games for schoolchildren were selected with special care: the researchers ensured that they included elements of reading and mathematics, and also required memorization of information and the ability to switch between different tasks. For example, children had to remember colors and images on cards, quickly perform calculations, and also find objects in pictures whose names begin with the same letter. If a game does not offer children tasks that promote the development of cognitive skills, then one should not expect significant benefits for the educational process from it.

Teacher Style and Posture

A group of German scientists conducted a series of three experiments with university students to find out how a teacher's posture in an educational video affects the perception of his or her professionalism. In the study, researchers analyzed students' reactions to lectures recorded with the instructor in one of four positions: upright, slouched, closed (e.g., with arms crossed over the chest), and open. The study found that open posture and correct posture lead students to perceive qualities such as enthusiasm, independence, and good communication skills in the instructor. Conversely, when the instructor slouches or appears closed, students tend to rate their abilities lower. Students' interest in the subject and their motivation to learn are likely also significantly influenced by the instructor's behavior on video. A slouched posture may give students the impression that the instructor is not particularly interested in what they are presenting. Based on this, it is important to avoid such poses both when recording video lectures and during live classes.

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There are many opinions about whether the teacher should appear on camera during Video lectures.

Voice characteristics and speech features of the teacher

There is scattered data on this issue: respondents to various studies indicate that lectures voiced in either a low or a high voice are remembered better and perceived more positively. Scientists suggest that pronounced features of timbre can influence the memorization of information: after a certain time, students are more likely to remember a lecture delivered in a high or low voice than one in which a "neutral" tone was used.

Various aspects of speech also play a role. For example, one study conducted in the United States found that an excessively slow rate of speech makes students wary and leads to a decrease in their interest in the lecture. In this article, we discussed in more detail how the teacher's voice influences student learning.

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• Organizing the learning process to actively engage students in the educational process requires a careful approach and the use of various methods. It is important to create an atmosphere conducive to interest and motivation for learning.

  A first step may be to use a variety of lesson formats. These can range from lectures to practical classes, seminars, or group discussions. The use of interactive methods, such as role-playing or debates, will help students not only assimilate the material but also develop critical thinking.

  Also, it is worth paying attention to the relevance of the topics discussed in class. Linking theory with practical examples from students' lives or professional spheres will make the material more interesting and meaningful. In addition, it is important to take into account the opinions of students and involve them in the decision-making process regarding the curriculum and teaching methods.

  Maintaining an active dialogue between the teacher and students plays a key role. Creating a safe and open environment where students can freely ask questions and share their thoughts fosters a deeper understanding of the topics discussed.

  The use of technology and multimedia resources is equally important. Interactive platforms, videos, and educational apps can significantly increase student engagement and make the learning process more dynamic.

  Regular feedback is another element to consider. Instructors should provide students with opportunities to evaluate their progress and understand where they can improve. This will not only increase their motivation but also create conditions for self-reflection.

  Ultimately, creating a learning environment in which students feel engaged and active participants requires a comprehensive approach and flexibility in teaching methods. This will allow not only to deepen knowledge, but also to develop the skills necessary for future professional activity.

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