Explaining Stuff to Kids
This is how the so-called Feynman Technique to learning stuff is defined: 1) Step 1 : Write down the concept you want to understand on a paper; 2) Step 2 : Explain the topic on that paper. Not how you’d explain things to your smart friend, but to a toddler . This part is key as it ensures you avoid jargon. And it helps identify the gaps in your understanding (they’re the areas you can’t explain to a toddler); 3) Step 3 : Go back and re-learn the gaps you identified. Then try explaining them again. Repeat until you can; 4) Step 4 : Read your explanation. Does it sound easy to understand? Is it confusing? Based on the answers, you may need to revise the explanation. Anyone with a kid ends up having to follow the Feynman Technique to some extent or the other! I guess I’ve made some progress on this because the ultimate compliment my 7 year-old has paid me till date was whe...