The brain needs and automatically registers what's familiar to us, and simultaneously searches for and responds to what's not. Hence both familiarity and novelty must be combined in a learning environment. In a way, the brain is both scientist and artist, attempting to understand patterns as they occur, while creating unique patterns of its own. Truly effective education must give learners an opportunity to formulate their own patterns of understanding. That means they need an opportunity to put skills and ideas together in their own way.
Emotions are critical to patterning.
What we learn is influenced by emotions and mindsets, including personal biases and prejudices, self-esteem, and the need for social interaction. Emotions and thoughts literally shape each other and cannot be separated, so an appropriate emotional climate is necessary for sound education. Learning involves both focused attention and peripheral perception. The brain absorbs information of which it is directly aware, but it also directly absorbs information that lies beyond the immediate focus of attention. In fact, the brain responds to the entire sensory context that surrounds teaching and communication.