Introduction

This study session examines the principles of learning and why they are important within your role as a health professional. It considers the key characteristics of learning and how they influence the health education activities that you will develop. In doing so it illustrates the similarities and differences in the ways both adults and children learn and how consideration of these can inform your practice in the delivery of health education. Drawing upon psychological, physical and environmental factors and teaching methodologies, this session identifies the factors that influence the learning process and how knowledge of these will help you when you are planning your health education programmes.