Tallermaa says children do not learn from people they dislike

Memory trainer Tauri Tallermaa told ERR’s Terevisioon television programme that interest, understanding and repetition are key to learning. He said children do not learn from people they dislike.

“I have not been a good teacher to my children,” Tallermaa said. “We do learn things, but one does not like that I make jokes and the other does not like that I am angry, although I consider myself demanding.”

Tallermaa said it is almost impossible to focus attention when something is not interesting, adding that interest develops when learning is enjoyable. He said a child is unlikely to develop an interest in playing the piano or football if the first experience is unpleasant.

Learning always requires effort, Tallermaa said, but each subsequent effort becomes easier when a person has already put in the work.

He said parents create a sense of enjoyment by making time for their children. Until puberty, children are generally willing to spend time with their parents if being with them is fun. If it is not, children may turn to smart devices and other activities instead.

Tallermaa also highlighted the importance of understanding, describing it as the moment when connections form between different patterns in the brain. Imagination is equally important, he said, but it requires time and effort from parents.

He cited an example shared by Marju Lauristin, who taught her grandchild about fractions by breaking an apple in half. One whole became two parts, with each part representing one of two equal parts. Tallermaa said parents should speak to children in simple language and relate lessons to real life.

Repetition is the third essential element, he said. Tallermaa said he sometimes asks children about something they learned the previous day while travelling to school, even though they do not always enjoy the unexpected revision.

Children should also be encouraged to ask questions at school, he said. “If you do not understand, you ask,” Tallermaa said, adding that making mistakes while learning is the most reliable way to learn.