What is spaced practice, and does it improve student outcomes?
This research explores how the spacing effect enhances 3-year-olds memory and category learning to support classroom strategies for deeper, more enduring understanding.
When teachers teach material in a spaced sequence [curriculum], it can result in more learning than presenting information in a *massed sequence (Vlach et al., 2008).
The spacing effect is a learning phenomenon where information is better retained when study sessions are spread out over time, rather than crammed in quick succession. This approach taps into the natural rhythms of memory and cognition, making learning stick effectively. In our classrooms, applying spaced learning can mean the difference between surface recall or deep understanding and transfer of knowledge.
Understanding and leveraging the spacing effect is crucial because it aligns with how our brains naturally encode and retrieve information. For students, especially younger ones, spaced learning can enhance memory retention and category induction—key components in developing critical thinking and understanding complex concepts.
