Identifying prior experience helps the learner focus on the learning task and make new connections to existing knowledge. It also builds a supportive learning environment by giving value to individual experiences and supporting a variety of learning styles. Multiple Intelligence Theory, Learning Styles, Cognitive Styles, and Thinking Skills offer various models demonstrating this concept. Caine and Caine describe this by observing that the brain continually seeks patterns or meaning. Maslow recognized that in order for higher order processing to occur, basic physiological and and psychological needs must be met.
Stress is a real deterrent to learning.
Caine, Renate and Caine, Goeffrey.