How we work
Acting is learning too
In shortChildren change what they expect by doing things and seeing what happens, more than by being told.
The idea
According to active inference (Karl Friston), the brain does not update its beliefs only by hearing explanations. It also updates by acting and seeing what happens. A child who expects water to be frightening changes that expectation by getting in, little by little, and finding they can. That is why doing things in the world, with other people, is one of the strongest ways to change what you expect.
What to try
- Choose activities where the child acts and sees the result straight away.
- Start with small uncertainty and increase it gradually.
- Afterwards, ask what was different from what they expected.
The common mistake
Thinking that talking alone changes what the child expects.
Want to know more?
Start here
Short, plain pieces by the researchers and good writers.
Books
How the predictive brain shapes what we see, feel and do, with many everyday examples.
See on Amazon ›Amazon links are affiliate links: if you buy, Bounded Uncertainty receives a small commission at no cost to you.
The science behind itHow strong the evidence is, the model, videos and references.
How strong the evidence is
Promising Good studies, but little tested with children at home or school, or the step to daily life is our interpretation.
More technical books
The technical textbook on active inference, for those who want the formal model.
See on Amazon ›Amazon links are affiliate links: if you buy, Bounded Uncertainty receives a small commission at no cost to you.
References
- Parr, T., Pezzulo, G., & Friston, K. J. (2022). Active Inference: The Free Energy Principle in Mind, Brain, and Behavior. MIT Press.
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