Don’t Over-Water the Learners: Let Learning Take Root and Grow

Have you ever over-watered a plant and watched the excess water pool on the soil’s surface or spill over the edges of the pot? The soil can only absorb so much at once, and the rest is wasted.

The same is true for learners.

When we deliver too much content too quickly—without giving learners time to process and absorb it—it’s like over-watering a plant. Even the most engaging presentation becomes ineffective if we flood learners with information instead of allowing them time to take it in.

Just as plants need time to absorb water, learners need time and space to absorb knowledge. Without this, much of what we teach will simply “run off,” unabsorbed and ultimately wasted.

How to Avoid Over-Watering Your Learners: Tip Back the Watering Can

One of the simplest ways to ensure learning sticks is to tip back the watering can—delivering knowledge in measured doses and then giving learners time to absorb and process it. A simple rule of thumb? Every 15 minutes, pause and engage learners in an activity that helps them internalize what they’ve just learned. This is an essential step to create knowledge that they actually retain.

Here Are Seven Ways to Let Learning Take Root and Grow

After the input of new content, have learners: 

1. Turn & Teach – Have learners pair up and explain the key takeaways to each other in their own words. Teaching someone else reinforces retention.
2. Table Questions – Ask each person at a table to write down one question they have about the material. Shuffle the questions and have participants pick one at random to discuss.
3. Team Teach-Backs – Divide learners into small groups and assign each team a section of the content. Ask them to prepare and present a quick summary to the class.
4. Reflect & Record – Invite learners to reflect on the most meaningful takeaway from the session. Capture responses on a shared board or digital mural for collective insight.
5. Slide Review & Discussion – Provide digital or printed slides and let learners review them independently or with a partner. Encourage them to note key insights and questions.
6. Question Wizard Wall – Have learners write questions on sticky notes and place them on a “Question Wizard” board. Read the questions aloud and facilitate a discussion around them.
7. Hands-On Application – Whenever possible, have learners apply the content immediately through problem-solving, role-playing, or real-world scenarios.

By building in opportunities for learners to absorb the content, you turn passive listening into active learning—ensuring your content truly takes root.

So next time you’re facilitating a session, remember: Don’t over-water the learners. Instead, give them just the right amount of content—then tip back the watering can, get them discovering, and watch the learning grow. 🌱

How are you tipping back your can and helping learners blossom?