What term describes the way children learn by observing others?

The term that describes the way children learn by observing others is social learning. This concept emphasizes the importance of modeling and imitation in the learning process. Social learning theory, developed by Albert Bandura, highlights that children can acquire new behaviors and skills by watching and imitating adults or peers in their environment. This type of learning is especially significant in early childhood education, as children are highly observant and adaptable.

In contrast, cognitive development focuses on how children think and understand the world around them, emphasizing the processes of thinking, problem-solving, and acquiring knowledge. Active learning involves hands-on experiences where children engage and participate directly in their learning environment, rather than learning through observation alone. Constructivist learning emphasizes how learners build their own understanding and knowledge through experiences and reflection, which can include social aspects but is broader than just the observational learning aspect. Social learning specifically captures the dynamic of learning by watching others, making it the accurate term in this context.