Table of Contents

How People Learn covers some of the core elements of how and why people learn. Creating an environment where people are able to learn is more important than the technical aspects of skiing (or any activity). Understand and discover more about how people process information and develop skills.

Creating a Learning Environment

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Abraham Maslow developed a hierarchy of needs in the mid-20th century, providing a framework to understand emotional needs and motivations in both children and adults. This theory is widely used in education and various industries to identify factors that may be inhibiting learning or performance.

Unmet needs can distract students, making it difficult for them to focus or engage in learning. By understanding this hierarchy, instructors can better support students who may be struggling with a particular task.

Physiological (or Basic) Needs

These are essential for survival, including food, water, warmth, and rest.

  • If a student is hungry, cold, fatigued, or uncomfortable, they will struggle to concentrate on skiing.
  • Students may not always communicate these needs, so instructors should observe and check in regularly.
Safety and Security

A sense of safety and stability is crucial for learning.

  • If a student feels unsafe, threatened, or overwhelmed, they may become tense, distracted, or even freeze up.

Instructors must create an environment where students trust them to make safe decisions.

Belonging

Feeling accepted and included is a fundamental emotional need, particularly for children.

  • When students do not feel a sense of belonging, they may withdraw or seek attention in different ways.

Instructors should foster group rapport and create an inclusive, supportive atmosphere.

Self Esteem

Confidence and self-worth influence a student’s willingness to take on challenges.

  • Positive reinforcement and encouragement help students feel capable and respected.

When students feel good about themselves, they are more likely to embrace new and difficult tasks.

Self-Actualisation

The desire to reach one’s full potential and be the best they can be.

  • Achieving self-actualisation requires the fulfillment of the previous four needs.

Few people reach this stage, but instructors can inspire students to strive for personal excellence.

Example

You have a group of adults skiing in cold weather. At the start of the lesson, everyone was chatting and engaged, but after some time, a few students have stopped talking and participating.

When you ask if everyone is warm enough, they all respond "yes". However, it’s possible that some students are actually very cold but hesitate to speak up because they want to fit in with the group.

As the instructor, recognizing this physiological need allows you to adjust the lesson accordingly—perhaps suggesting a quick warm-up break or a short stop indoors to help everyone stay comfortable and engaged.

Applying Maslow’s Hierarchy to Teaching

By identifying which level of need is affecting a student’s performance or focus, instructors can:

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Adapt the lesson to support those needs.
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Adapt the lesson to support those needs.

Ask reflective questions: Why is this student struggling? What can I change to help?

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs