Every parent has witnessed the late-night cram session: the textbook illuminated by a lone desk lamp, the frantic highlighting, the anxious review. While this approach might help scrape through a test, it does little to create the deep, lasting knowledge that defines a true education. At La Fontana International Schools, our educational philosophy is built not just on what students learn, but on how they learn. We integrate the science of learning into our teaching to equip students with strategies that are as effective as they are empowering.

Let’s move beyond outdated methods and explore five research-backed techniques that can revolutionise your child’s learning journey.

1. The Testing Effect: Unleashing the Power of Recall
The most common study habit is re-reading notes and textbooks. However, cognitive science reveals a more potent tool: Retrieval Practice. This is the active process of recalling information from memory, which strengthens the neural pathways associated with that knowledge. Think of it as exercise for the brain; each time a memory is retrieved, it becomes more robust and accessible. Encourage your child to close the book and practice self-testing with flashcards, attempt past paper questions without their notes, or simply explain the key concepts of a chapter aloud to you or a sibling. This struggle to recall is where the deepest learning occurs.

2. Spaced Practice: The Antidote to Cramming
Our brains are designed to forget information it deems non-essential. Cramming floods the brain with information for a short period, but without reinforcement, it is quickly discarded. Spaced Practice, or distributed learning, is the strategy of reviewing information over increasing intervals of time. Instead of a six-hour marathon session, six one-hour sessions spread over a week or two are infinitely more effective. This repeated exposure signals to the brain that the information is important and worth holding onto. We help students structure their revision timetables to incorporate this principle, ensuring learning moves from short-term memory into long-term understanding.

3. Interleaving: Mixing It Up for Mastery
It feels efficient to study one topic thoroughly before moving to the next (a method called “blocking”). However, Interleaving—mixing up different types of problems or subjects within a single study session—is far more effective for long-term learning. For instance, a math student might interleave practice problems for algebra, geometry, and statistics rather than doing all of one type. While this feels more challenging and can be frustrating initially, it forces the brain to constantly identify the type of problem and select the appropriate strategy. This builds cognitive flexibility and a much deeper, more applicable understanding.

4. Elaboration: Connecting the Dots
Elaboration is the process of finding personal meaning and connection in new information. It’s about moving beyond memorisation to true comprehension. We encourage students to ask themselves questions as they learn: “Why does this make sense?” “How does this concept relate to what I learned last week in history?” “Can I explain this in my own words?” By connecting new knowledge to existing mental models and personal experiences, students weave a richer, more interconnected tapestry of understanding that is far less likely to unravel.

5. The Feynman Technique: The Power of Simplicity
Named after the Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman, this technique is the ultimate test of understanding. The process is simple: choose a concept and try to explain it in the clearest, simplest terms possible, as if teaching it to a complete novice. The act of breaking down a complex idea into its fundamental components, using plain language, quickly reveals any gaps in understanding. When your child gets stuck, that’s the precise area they need to revisit in their notes. It transforms them from a passive consumer of information into an active explainer and master of the subject.

At La Fontana, our teachers are not just subject experts; they are facilitators of learning who design lessons and assessments that naturally incorporate these powerful strategies. We are committed to nurturing not only knowledgeable students but also skilled, self-aware learners who are prepared for the academic challenges of university and beyond.