A groundbreaking study by the University of Copenhagen’s Faculty of Science challenges the long-held assumption that children are inherently better at learning new skills than adults.
Key Findings
- Young adults learn new motor skills faster than children.
- Adults tend to forget skills more quickly.
- Children benefit more from sleep, aiding memory consolidation.
- No evidence supports the existence of a “golden age” for motor skills learning.
Study Details
Researchers tested 132 participants from four age groups (8-10, 12-14, 16-18, and 20-30 years) on motor learning abilities using a computer-based task.
Expert Insights
Jesper Lundbye-Jensen, associate professor: “There’s no physiological basis for the ‘golden age’ of motor skills learning.”
Mikkel Malling Beck, lead author: “Older participants learned faster, suggesting cognitive development and increased information processing play a role.”
Implications
- Improved training methods across various fields.
- Consideration of age-specific learning strategies.
- Emphasis on sleep’s role in memory consolidation for children.
Sources
- University of Copenhagen. (2024). Adults learn motor skills faster than children.
- Beck et al. (2024). Age-related differences in motor skill learning. Developmental Science.
- Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen. (2024). Motor learning study.
