How come learning things as a kid is/feels easier than learning them as an adult?

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Think sports, language, riding a bike, learning an instrument etc.

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21 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

In your brain you have lots of cells called neurons. These receive inputs (sensory inputs like sight, sound, smell, touch would be an example) and depending on how they’re structured they might send an output. They can also make connections to other neurons to form clusters of neurons, allowing for more nuanced outputs.

Developing brains are more neuroplastic, meaning they it is easier for the brain to reorganize itself by creating new neural links, or strengthening/weakening old ones. It’s a myth that neuroplasticity stops after 25 when your brain is done developing, but it does slow down so learning new skills will probably be harder.

However, many things can be easier to learn as an adult because you have more per-requisite knowledge and a framework for how the world functions.

Anonymous 0 Comments

In your brain you have lots of cells called neurons. These receive inputs (sensory inputs like sight, sound, smell, touch would be an example) and depending on how they’re structured they might send an output. They can also make connections to other neurons to form clusters of neurons, allowing for more nuanced outputs.

Developing brains are more neuroplastic, meaning they it is easier for the brain to reorganize itself by creating new neural links, or strengthening/weakening old ones. It’s a myth that neuroplasticity stops after 25 when your brain is done developing, but it does slow down so learning new skills will probably be harder.

However, many things can be easier to learn as an adult because you have more per-requisite knowledge and a framework for how the world functions.

Anonymous 0 Comments

In language, there has been a debate among scientists for years about whether or not children have some innately special ability to learn. While the other comments about neuroplasticity are generally correct, it is also the case that children spend all day, every day *just* learning. They are immersed in a world that is mostly still new to them and for the most part their sole responsibility is to just learn. Playing is a form of learning.

As an adult, you have already learned a lot so most of what you encounter fall within stuff you already know. You have to search father outside of your normal experience to find new things, which you may or may not have time or inclination to do.

Anonymous 0 Comments

In language, there has been a debate among scientists for years about whether or not children have some innately special ability to learn. While the other comments about neuroplasticity are generally correct, it is also the case that children spend all day, every day *just* learning. They are immersed in a world that is mostly still new to them and for the most part their sole responsibility is to just learn. Playing is a form of learning.

As an adult, you have already learned a lot so most of what you encounter fall within stuff you already know. You have to search father outside of your normal experience to find new things, which you may or may not have time or inclination to do.

Anonymous 0 Comments

In language, there has been a debate among scientists for years about whether or not children have some innately special ability to learn. While the other comments about neuroplasticity are generally correct, it is also the case that children spend all day, every day *just* learning. They are immersed in a world that is mostly still new to them and for the most part their sole responsibility is to just learn. Playing is a form of learning.

As an adult, you have already learned a lot so most of what you encounter fall within stuff you already know. You have to search father outside of your normal experience to find new things, which you may or may not have time or inclination to do.

Anonymous 0 Comments

Because it *is* easier.

Your neurons were born striving to form new pathways. Once these pathways are established however, neurons are loathe to reconfigure themselves. This is why teaching things right the first time is so important.

The pain of learning something new as an adult is literally your neurons grumbling about having to reconfigure themselves to accommodate new pathways.

Anonymous 0 Comments

Because it *is* easier.

Your neurons were born striving to form new pathways. Once these pathways are established however, neurons are loathe to reconfigure themselves. This is why teaching things right the first time is so important.

The pain of learning something new as an adult is literally your neurons grumbling about having to reconfigure themselves to accommodate new pathways.

Anonymous 0 Comments

Because it *is* easier.

Your neurons were born striving to form new pathways. Once these pathways are established however, neurons are loathe to reconfigure themselves. This is why teaching things right the first time is so important.

The pain of learning something new as an adult is literally your neurons grumbling about having to reconfigure themselves to accommodate new pathways.

Anonymous 0 Comments

In addition to the neuroplasticity and extra time to learn already mentioned, kids can also learn things over the same span of time that it would take an adult but without needing anywhere near as much willpower. A kid put in French immersion might well graduate with a very high level of fluency in French. Of course, that kid spent twelve years studying it in a semi-immersive environment. If an adult spent twelve years studying a language in a semi-immersive environment, they’d probably also be very good at it by the end, but they have no parents and teachers forcing them to keep it up day after day.

Anonymous 0 Comments

In addition to the neuroplasticity and extra time to learn already mentioned, kids can also learn things over the same span of time that it would take an adult but without needing anywhere near as much willpower. A kid put in French immersion might well graduate with a very high level of fluency in French. Of course, that kid spent twelve years studying it in a semi-immersive environment. If an adult spent twelve years studying a language in a semi-immersive environment, they’d probably also be very good at it by the end, but they have no parents and teachers forcing them to keep it up day after day.