Priming is a theory from cognitive science and is often referred to in psychology. However, it is very relevant in a learning context too. Priming is the exposure to something prior to learning it. It is the igniting of neural pathways before they are needed.
For example, when you read to your child every night before bed, you are priming them to read themselves. They are seeing you read before they can. This is known as implicit learning.
Priming is important because it helps prepare learners for tasks they will need to master later in life. When you encounter a task you have prepared for (even subconsciously), you will be better equipped to learn it faster and more fully. This is how priming can increase the speed of learning.
Here is another example from reading. If a child has heard a word several times (or more) in stories that were read to them, when they encounter that word while reading, they are more likely to be able to read and understand it.
Imagine it like two layers. The priming layer is above the child’s independent ability: what they can comprehend (even if only partially) but cannot do. And below is the active layer, the layer the child can do independently. And imagine that the two layers are connected, the active layer hanging from the priming layer. Consequently, the more present the priming layer is, the stronger it pulls the active layer up. As the child’s active layer rises, the priming layer can thus continue to rise as well. This is supported by other theories such as Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). It is a positive feedback loop for learning.
So, if you are wondering how to help prepare your child for more, start by priming them for more. If you want your child to improve their reading, read with them more. If you want your child to be interested in science, spend time doing science with them.
