What are the benefits of accelerated learning?

People learn in different ways and have different strengths - some have musical skills, some verbal, some visual and some kinaesthetic (learning through physical activities).

When someone finds the way that suits them best, they will flourish - but aiming to use as many methods of learning as possible will keep the whole brain alive and alert.

Accelerated learning is not only successful in that it helps people to achieve better results, it makes learning more enjoyable too. Get going!

Accelerated learning techniques

Before you start, it is important to feel relaxed and unstressed. Use music if it helps create a positive atmosphere.

Warm up your brains together! Try some fun activities that use both of its sides, like rubbing your head and patting your stomach at the same time, or writing your name with your right and left hands simultaneously.

Look at any new material briefly to get a feel for its scope and depth. Get the 'big picture' - what do you want to achieve? What are the learning outcomes?

Decide together how to approach it in an interesting way, using the whole brain. Here are just a few examples: make a time capsule of the key facts; design an assault course highlighting the pitfalls of the topic; make notes on coloured cards that could be organised and classified; create a display. Your child will need to think about how to include the key points, relevant examples and evidence.

For each topic covered, create a mind map - a drawing showing the different areas to remember. Our brains retain images better than words, so creating an image of what has been learnt is a good way to remember key points. Each person's map will be different: you will remember the map you have created the best. Include colour and illustrations and remember to add a border around the outside, to help your brain remember the shape.

Then, get your child to explain what she has learnt, using her mind map, to you or someone else. That way, your child will have to talk about his or her new knowledge and show she knows it.

Review regularly and actively: try making a 3-minute recording of what has been learnt, or write a haiku (a 17-syllable Japanese verse-form - a search online will give lots of examples) summarising new knowledge. Review regularly, at daily/weekly/monthly/termly intervals.

Aim for plenty of variety - both in topics covered and activities used.

Encourage your child to sip water regularly to keep the mind alert. Bananas are great brain-food, rich in potassium. And help your child to stay relaxed - let him or her take regular breaks.

Based on an article by Lorna Smith

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