The Science Behind Development Wheels: How Format Impacts Learning

The Science Behind Development Wheels: How Format Impacts Learning

​Understanding how individuals absorb and retain information is crucial in designing effective educational resources. The unique circular format of Development Wheels™ offers cognitive benefits that enhance learning, particularly in early years education. This article explores these advantages, comparing the circular design to traditional linear formats.​

Visual Learning and Engagement

The human brain processes visual information more efficiently than text alone. Interactive media, which often incorporates visuals, sounds, and interactive elements, activate multiple senses, enhancing engagement and retention. This multisensory approach leverages children's natural curiosity, making learning more enjoyable and effective.​

Development Wheels™ capitalise on this by presenting information in a circular, interactive format. This design encourages users to engage physically with the material, turning the wheel to access different sections. Such interaction can lead to better understanding and memory retention compared to passive reading.​

Cognitive Benefits of Circular Design

The circular format of Development Wheels™ aligns with the concept of instructional scaffolding, where information is structured to support learning progressively. By rotating the wheel, users can explore related topics in a non-linear fashion, allowing for a more personalised learning experience. This method supports the development of cognitive skills by encouraging exploration and active participation.​

Moreover, the tactile nature of the wheel can aid in fine motor skill development in young children. The physical act of turning the wheel adds a kinesthetic element to learning, catering to various learning styles and reinforcing the material being studied.​

Quick Recall and Information Retention

Interactive formats like Development Wheels™ can enhance quick recall by organising information into easily digestible segments. This structure allows learners to access specific information swiftly, facilitating better retention. The engaging nature of interactive media has been shown to increase motivation, which positively influences learner retention.​

Effectiveness in Early Years Education

In early years education, maintaining a child's attention is vital for effective learning. Studies have demonstrated that interactive media can significantly increase attention spans in young children. For instance, research involving infants and toddlers showed that their attention spans increased when presented with interactive stimuli compared to static images.​

Development Wheels™, with their interactive and engaging design, are well-suited for this purpose. They provide an intuitive and enjoyable way for children to learn, aligning with the principles of edutainment, which combines education and entertainment to make learning more appealing.​

Conclusion

The circular, interactive format of Development Wheels™ offers distinct cognitive benefits that enhance learning, particularly in early years education. By engaging multiple senses, encouraging active participation, and facilitating quick recall, this design proves to be more effective than traditional linear formats. As educational tools continue to evolve, incorporating such innovative designs can significantly improve learning outcomes for young children.​

For more information about Development Wheels™, visit our home page. Explore our full range of titles, including the early years collection, health and well-being collection, school age collection, and subject-based collection. For organisations interested in customised resources, learn about our customised Development Wheels. To understand the background and development of our products, visit our background page. If you have any questions or need further information, please contact us through our contact page.

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Our Development Wheel Collections

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Questions and Answers

1. What are Development Wheels™?

Development Wheels™ are unique, circular resources designed to provide information, ideas and guidance on various child development, health and family support topics. Each wheel is written by specialists and practitioners, making them accessible and relevant to parents, carers, health visitors, childminders, teachers and others working with children.

2. How do they work?

Each Development Wheel™ consists of three parts, featuring a rotating inner section. As you turn this inner section, information appears through a viewing window at the top. Both sides contain useful information: for example, our ‘Birth to Five Years’ wheel has age-related sections. One side highlights developmental milestones and suggests ways for parents or professionals to support a child, while the reverse provides advice on keeping children healthy and safe through their first five years.

3. Who can benefit from Development Wheels™?

They are ideal for a wide range of users, including parents, carers, health visitors, childminders, teachers, early years practitioners, students, and others working in childcare, health and family support. Because the content is created by experts, they are both practical for everyday family use and beneficial as a professional reference tool.

4. What sizes are available?

Standard Development Wheels™ (approximately 230mm): These are our subject-based titles, easy to carry around and wipe-clean for regular use."

"Super-size Practitioner Development Wheels™ (440mm): Larger wheels containing more detailed information, ideal as a comprehensive reference for early years professionals working within settings such as children’s centres, nurseries and group environments.

5. What topics do the wheels cover?

Currently, there are 23 standard Development Wheels™ titles (and more in the pipeline) covering early years development, speech and language, outdoor play, health topics like pre-birth and postnatal support, maths and reading, teenage years and more. There are also specialist titles such as the Schemas Development Wheels™, created to help understand and support children’s schemas.

6. Can they be customised with my organisation’s branding?

Yes. You can have your own logo and branding on the back of any standard Development Wheels™, and even adjust the colours to match your organisation’s style. This allows you to share important information with families and the community while promoting your brand.

7. Is there a minimum order for customised Development Wheels™?

Yes, you can order customised copies (with your logo on the back) in quantities as low as 100 wheels. But for really big savings on the unit price, with unit costs that are lower than our online prices, we recommend a quantity of at least 1000 copies. That’s because the cost per wheel decreases with larger orders, making it a cost-effective ‘branded’ solution for local authorities, family support organisations, health services and educational establishments.

8. Can I use my organisation's purchase order (PO) system to place an order?

Yes, but it is best if you contact us first. That way, we can give you all the details you require to place your order. Alternatively, you can make your initial purchases online now through this website.

9. Can I request samples before placing a large order?

The quickest way to see our Development Wheels™ is to purchase samples online now through our website. If you later place a larger order, we offer a scaled refund based on your original sample purchase.

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