Child Development Associate (CDA) Child Care Practice Exam

Experiential learning through direct experiences is indeed the most prominent type of learning during early childhood. At this developmental stage, children learn best by actively engaging with their environment. They explore, manipulate objects, interact with peers and adults, and participate in hands-on activities. This form of learning allows children to discover concepts and skills through sensory experiences and active participation, which is crucial for their cognitive, social, and emotional development.

In contrast, theoretical learning from textbooks is less effective for young children who are typically not developmentally ready to absorb information presented in this way. Memorization of facts and figures does not facilitate deep understanding or critical thinking skills at this age. Passive learning through television may expose children to information but does not engage them in the same meaningful, interactive way that experiential learning does. The importance of direct experiences in fostering a child's curiosity and desire to learn underscores why it is the predominant form of learning during early childhood.