Activity-Based Learning

Teaching where the child does (manipulates, experiments, plays, builds) rather than only listens, especially in the early years.

In activity-based classes, abacuses, building blocks, counters, role-play, sandpits and stories carry the load that lectures used to. Comprehension goes up; behaviour issues go down.

Related terms

Inquiry-Based Learning

A pedagogy where the lesson starts with a question or problem and students investigate, hypothesise and arrive at understanding — rather than receiving information first.

Play-Way Method

An early-childhood pedagogy in which structured and free play is the primary medium for learning literacy, numeracy and social skills.