Children are Learning from Everything

Here’s something important to remember: Your child is learning everything right now

Not just colours, shapes, and how to put their shoes on the right feet. But everything – how people respond to them, how the world works, how things feel, fall, change and behave.

And yes, sometimes that learning looks a lot like chaos.
But nothing could be further from the truth.  This is curiosity.

In these early years, your child is constantly looking for opportunities to understand this fascinating world. And as they do, they look to you – not just for permission, but for guidance, confirmation and encouragement.

So, when your plant ends up on the floor again?
There’s a reason. And it’s not just to test your patience.

Every moment is a learning moment

When your child builds a tower and knocks it over, they’re not being destructive. They’re investigating: What happens when I do this? Can I make it fall? What does it sound like?

When they pour water onto the floor instead of into the cup, they’re exploring gravity, flow and perhaps even cause and effect: What will Mum say? What will Dad do?

These are not accidents. They’re experiments.

Children learn through doing – through play, exploration, trial and error. The world is their classroom and they are the most curious, persistent scientists you’ll ever meet.

You are their guide

As they explore, your child is also watching you. Closely.

They’re asking:

• Was that okay?
• Is this how things work?
• Am I safe?
• Are you proud of me?

Your response becomes part of their learning. They don’t just learn from the action – they learn from how we see the action.

So when we react too quickly, dismiss their efforts, or misunderstand their intention, we can unintentionally derail the very learning we want to support.

See the learning, even in the mess

Yes, it can be messy.
Yes, it can be exhausting.

But when we take a moment to step back and really see what’s happening, we open a door to something powerful: connection and understanding.

That’s the moment we can say:

• “You wanted to see what would happen – let’s clean this up together.”
• “The soil spilled because the plant tipped. Was it heavy?”
• “Let’s find something else you can pull that’s okay to explore.”

We’re not ignoring boundaries – we’re guiding them with empathy.
We’re not stopping the learning – we’re shaping it.

Let them be little learners

Your child doesn’t need pressure, perfection, or constant correction.

They need space to explore.
They need permission to wonder.
And they need you – their steady, curious, supportive grown-up – to help them make sense of it all.

So the next time they pull the plant over, again, take a breath.
They’re not testing you.
They’re testing the world.

And with your guidance, they’re learning everything.

Dr Kathryn Peckham is an Early Childhood Consultant, author and researcher and the founder of Nurturing Childhoods and the Nurturing Childhoods Academy.  Providing all the knowledge, understanding and support you need to nurture the children in your life.