Foundations and Principles First

Committing to the comprehension of the foundations and principles of any new discipline allows us to develop a deeper understanding of its inner workings. Although this step can be dull, it can also enhance the longevity and ease of the learning process going forwards.

However, the process of learning the principles need not be dull.

Children take fascination in the smallest of discoveries. Principles of sharing and kindness are first learned, and then navigated against our survival instincts that might otherwise suggest that we ought to take care of ourselves at all costs. Through experience, we then realise the sense of belonging and community that comes with considering those around us.

Fascination, however, is open to all, not just to children. Once we overcome the initial overwhelming sense that there’s an awful lot to learn, we become ready to jump in and live for the thrill of curiosity in the smallest things:

• what’s the difference between the sound we make in the word, ‘NURSE’, and the final syllable of the word, ‘lettER’?
• Which part of your tongue raises, and how high does it raise in the vowel sounds in the words, ‘KIT’ and ‘FLEECE’?
• How can we describe the similarities and differences between the sounds /f/ and /v/?

Without understanding the foundations involved in the generation of these sounds, they can feel like an endless string of individual facts to learn by rote.

However, the first two bullet points can be understood through an overall recognition that the realisation of vowel sounds is a combination of an arched or cupped tongue position through varying degrees, in a position near the front, middle or back of the mouth.

The third point can be grasped through a study of the consonant chart; some sounds may be produced without vibrations in the throat, and some with.

Next time you’re learning a new skill, consider looking at the common occurrences and working towards the detail with these in mind.

Lay a strong foundation of principles, so that your growing knowledge can remained structured and in tact.