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Declarative knowledge and procedural knowledge are two distinct types of knowledge that are fundamental to how we learn and interact with the world. The main difference lies in what they represent and how we use them.

Declarative Knowledge: Knowing “That”

 Declarative knowledge is “knowing that” — it’s the knowledge of facts, concepts, and information that can be consciously recalled and explicitly stated or declared. It’s the theoretical side of learning. This type of knowledge is typically acquired through passive learning methods, such as reading, listening, and memorization. It answers the question, “What do you know?”

• Examples: Knowing that Paris is the capital of France, that water’s chemical formula is, or that the Earth revolves around the Sun.
• Nature: It is explicit and can be readily verbalized, written down, and stored in documents or books.

Procedural Knowledge: Knowing “How”

 Procedural knowledge is “knowing how” — it’s the knowledge of how to perform a skill or task. It’s the practical application of knowledge, and it is often difficult or impossible to explain in words. This knowledge is acquired through active learning, practice, and hands-on experience. It answers the question, “How do you do it?”

• Examples: Knowing how to ride a bicycle, tie your shoes, or solve a math equation step by step. You can perform these tasks without consciously thinking about every single step.
• Nature: It is often implicit and becomes automatic over time. The most effective way to convey this knowledge is through demonstration rather than verbal explanation.

 

Key Differences at a Glance

Particulars	Declarative Knowledge (“Knowing What”)	Procedural Knowledge (“Knowing How”)
Definition	Knowledge of facts, concepts, and information.	Knowledge of how to perform tasks.
Nature	Explicit, conscious, and can be easily verbalized.	Implicit, often unconscious, and hard to explain.

 

Transferring declarative knowledge into procedural knowledge requires a specific system and set of skills. Do you have them?

At ClientNostics, this is one of the systems we teach in Part Two of our certification program.

The most effective system for converting declarative knowledge to procedural knowledge is through a combination of practice, repetition, and a cognitive framework that facilitates the process. This transformation, known as proceduralization, moves information from a state of conscious understanding (“knowing what”) to an automatic, unconscious ability (“knowing how”).

The Process of Proceduralization

This process is explained by the Adaptive Control of Thought—Rational (ACT-R) theory, which suggests that knowledge transitions from declarative to procedural through a series of steps:

1. Declarative Stage: You first acquire the factual information. This is a conscious effort, such as memorizing the steps of a recipe or the rules of grammar.
2. Proceduralization: With extensive, intensive practice and repetition, you convert those explicit facts into a sequence of actions. This process integrates the factual knowledge directly into productions or automated actions, removing the need for conscious retrieval of each step.
3. Knowledge Compilation: Over time, through a process called knowledge compilation, your brain becomes more efficient. It collapses multiple steps into a single, seamless action, which is what we call “muscle memory.” For example, a beginner cook might have to consciously remember each ingredient and step, but an expert chef performs these tasks almost automatically.

Effective Strategies

To facilitate this transition, you should employ strategies that actively engage both your declarative and procedural learning systems:

• Practice and Repetition: This is the most crucial element. You cannot proceduralize a skill without hands-on experience. This includes doing drills, completing exercises, and solving problems repeatedly.
• Problem-Based Learning: Instead of just memorizing facts, use them to solve real-world problems. This forces you to apply the declarative knowledge and begin the process of building procedural skill.
• Mentoring and Demonstration: Observing an expert and being mentored can speed up the learning process. It provides a visual model of “how to do it,” which is often more effective than a verbal explanation alone.
• Cognitive Load Management: According to Cognitive Load Theory, your working memory has a limited capacity. You should design your learning process to reduce “extraneous cognitive load” (distractions) and increase “germane cognitive load” (the mental effort spent on building schemas). This can be done by breaking down complex skills into smaller chunks and focusing on one part at a time.
• Active Retrieval and Self-Explanation: Don’t just re-read your notes. Actively try to recall information without looking at a source, then explain the process in your own words. This strengthens the pathways between declarative and procedural memory.

Ultimately, the best system is not a single tool, but a deliberate and structured approach that begins with solid declarative knowledge and systematically utilizes practice and feedback to build a strong foundation of procedural skill. Click the logo belwo to learn more about this certification program and the benefits it has to offer