Understand the difference between Guided Learning and Exploration modes on ABCmouse. This article explains how Guided Learning provides a structured, sequential path through the curriculum, while Exploration allows children to freely choose activities based on interest. It outlines the benefits of each mode and how they support different learning styles. Ideal for parents and teachers looking to balance educational structure with student-driven engagement.
Guided Learning
In ABCmouse, Guided Learning is offered by our Step-by-Step Learning Path. Activities and lessons on the Learning Path have been structured to maximize your child’s learning potential. Your child completes activities in a pre-set order, designed by our Curriculum experts, to better understand the material and retain what they are learning through repetition.
If you ever need to change your Learning Path Level, just go to the Parent Section by clicking either the Options menu in the lower left corner or the Gear icon in the upper-right corner, depending on what page you are on. From the Parent Section, click Settings, select the child whose Learning Path level you wish to adjust, select a new Learning Path Level, and click Done.
Exploration
The other approach to learning that ABCmouse facilitates is Exploration, which is simply unstructured and undirected learning. Basically, the child decides what to focus on (with your input if needed). Some children learn better with a more personalized approach, and some parents prefer to pick activities and topics of focus. If you would like your child to learn a specific topic or spend more time with a specific subject, you can access any activity, lesson, or subject available on ABCmouse from within the Classroom area. You can also explore the site for more opportunities for exploration, like visiting the Farm or Zoo area!
The great thing about ABCmouse is that there are so many activity types and subjects to explore, and your child can switch from the Learning Path to unstructured exploration at any time. You can have your child work on the Learning Path for a certain amount of time and then have them work on math activities found within the Classroom. Whatever works best for your child.
Also, as you begin to use ABCmouse with your child, you will see that everything we create has a learning objective.
This means that every activity, whether it be a puzzle, game, book, or video, is designed to teach your child something – even if they don’t realize it! After all, our goal is to foster a lifelong love of learning in every child! So you can feel confident that whatever your child is engaged in is leading to learning.