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The Effects of Learner-Centredness and Learning Environment on Cognitive Development in Early Childhood Education

Oluyemisi Christiana Aluko, Mary Mojirade Ayantunji

Abstract

Integrating learner-centred approaches with enriched learning environments to optimize cognitive development in early childhood education (ECE). Learner-centred education emphasizes the active role of children in their learning process, fostering autonomy, exploration, and critical thinking. When combined with enriched learning environments—characterized by diverse, stimulating resources and supportive emotional climates—has been shown to enhance cognitive development, including executive functions, problem-solving skills, and creativity. The learner-centred approach encourages children to engage with their environment in meaningful ways, promoting intrinsic motivation and deeper cognitive engagement. Teachers, acting as facilitators, scaffold children's learning by offering guidance and responding to individual developmental needs, which enables children to engage in self-directed learning and make decisions that promote critical thinking and problem-solving. Moreover, these environments are designed to support multiple learning styles, ensuring that all children, regardless of background or developmental needs, have access to appropriate learning tools. The integration of these two elements—learner-centred pedagogy and enriched environments—fosters the development of essential cognitive abilities, such as attention control, working memory, and self-regulation, which are critical for academic success. In conclusion, integrating learner-centred approaches with enriched environments creates a holistic setting for cognitive development, equipping children with the foundational skills necessary for lifelong learning and success in academic and social contexts.

Keywords

CognitionEarly Childhood EducationPsychological environmenteffective

References

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