The Four Pillars of Learning Applied to Everyday Teaching
Learning is a complex process that engages many brain capacities. According to Professor Stanislas Dehaene, author of How We Learn (Apprendre ! Les talents du cerveau, le défi des machines, 2013), four fundamental pillars support all effective learning: attention, active engagement, feedback from errors, and consolidation. Understanding these pillars and applying them in everyday teaching allows children at Kintess School to fully develop their intellectual, social, and emotional potential.
The first pillar, attention, is often considered the gateway to learning. Without focus, the other mechanisms cannot operate effectively. Attention is an active brain process that selects relevant information and filters out distractions. At Kintess School, we integrate refocusing practices at the beginning of each activity to help children concentrate fully. These practices may include breathing exercises, gentle movements, sensory games, or gradual transitions between activities. Classrooms are designed to limit visual and auditory distractions, and teachers adapt their pace to the cognitive needs of children, alternating between individual work, collaborative projects, and hands-on activities.
The second pillar is active engagement. Children learn best when they are active participants, exploring, experimenting, and constructing their own knowledge. At Kintess, we encourage practical projects, science experiments, creative workshops, and guided discussions, allowing each child to participate actively and express ideas. Active engagement also fosters motivation and curiosity, essential drivers for lasting learning.
The third pillar, feedback from errors, transforms challenges into learning opportunities. Errors are not failures but signals that allow the brain to correct, adjust, and strengthen neural circuits. At Kintess, teachers value mistakes as a normal part of the learning process. They guide children in identifying the source of difficulties, proposing solutions, and reflecting on alternative strategies. This approach encourages perseverance and autonomy while building self-confidence.
Finally, the fourth pillar, consolidation, is crucial for transferring knowledge into long-term memory. The brain needs time and repetition to transform recent learning into durable skills. Kintess School emphasizes regular practice, spaced review, and activities that reinforce memory, such as educational games, thematic projects, and classroom discussions. Sleep and breaks are also considered essential for consolidating learning.
These four pillars are interconnected. They constantly interact to support the child’s overall development. For example, attention supports active engagement, which in turn creates rich experiences that promote error feedback and consolidation. Social and emotional interactions also reinforce each pillar: a child who feels safe and heard is more attentive, more motivated to engage actively, and more open to learning from mistakes.
At Kintess School, these principles are applied throughout the day. The program combines academic learning, arts, sports, and collaborative play so that children can develop cognitive, social, and emotional skills in a stimulating and supportive environment. Teachers closely observe each student, adapt guidance to individual needs, and create personalized learning experiences.
For parents, understanding the four pillars helps support children at home. Encouraging focus, valuing effort rather than just results, offering active and playful learning experiences, accepting errors as part of learning, and allowing time for rest and repetition are all ways to extend the effectiveness of Kintess School’s practices.
By applying the four pillars of learning in everyday teaching, Kintess School provides children with a structured and stimulating framework that enables them to develop strong skills, build confidence, and nurture curiosity. As Stanislas Dehaene emphasizes, “learning is a biological process that can be optimized through appropriate educational practices.” With this approach, each child can fully realize their potential and progress with pleasure and autonomy.
Stanislas Dehaene, How We Learn (Apprendre ! Les talents du cerveau, le défi des machines, Odile Jacob, 2013).