Of course, experience gives you knowledge points. When you begin the game, you have 10 knowledge points in your knowledge bar. Look towards the top of the page for ten glowing yellow small rectangular boxes. (Under the name Sproutville.) That is a fully stocked knowledge point bar. When you utilise, each of the boxes is checked.
Every hour, you will receive one knowledge point to replenish your bar. See, all of this time you're spending here is helping you learn! When you negotiate or combat an encounter, you gain one knowledge point.