Do you believe that you can't teach an old dog new tricks applies to older humans?

Question

Like since they say you can't teach an old dog new tricks, they say it's harder to teach an adult a foreign language or musical instrument than a child.

Answer 1

No I don't think that applies to humans. You're never too old to learn new things.

Answer 2

I think the better way to phrase this is that it is easier to teach a child a foreign language or a musical instrument than it is any adult.

I am 66 and still quite able to learn new things, although my capacities are certainly more limited than they were when I was a small child. For example I am much smarter on and better adapted to computers than most of the kids I'm around, and I only started learning them about ten years ago.

As we age, our abilities to acquire knowledge and skills do change, but we do have a capacity to learn that will stay with us well into old age.

Exercising those capacities is one key to keeping them.

I'm a reasonably smart guy, but I have to read a lot, visit websites, and constantly learn to keep my brain working and learning.

Sadly, I've never had much capacity for languages (other than English) and playing music. That is one of my greatest regrets.

Answer 3

I disagree, as an older person I have learnt to use the computer for things other than email and answers.
I have found answers people very helpful when I have had problems.
I have only had it 12 days less than a year ago.
Prior to that I was completely computer illiterate.
My 80 year old mother is also learning, so you can teach an old dog new tricks, it just takes a little longer.

Answer 4

It mostly applies to humans who are set in their ways. Usually older people are more set in their ways than younger people. A child, especially when in the learning stages of life will usually pick things up easier than an adult. By the time most people reach a certain age, there minds are set to react a certain way, and for most people, it's hard to change their ways. It's like while growing up, you were told the color of this font is black, then one day, someone tells you it isn't black, but ash. It would be hard for you to start calling this color ash when you knew it as black for the most part of your life.

Answer 5

21 years previous isn't that previous and definite you could coach an previous dogs new tricks in spite of the undeniable fact that, if the previous dogs refuses, there is no longer plenty you're able to do approximately it different than proceed enjoying the previous tricks with him.

Answer 6

It is true that learning a 2nd language is easier for children.

Answer 7

Its true...adults have a preset way of learning as children are still open-minded that way.

Answer 8

u can teach an old dog new trix if he's learned to do trix b4

Answer 9

old people are hard to get to do things differently, old coots are stuck in their ways

Answer 10

No, if they're intent on learning, they can be taught.