Not so much about how I learned but how I teach.

Whenever I want to explain how one can do things in SQL I pull up a google/excel sheet and write down some sample data that resembles the problem.

When multiple tables are involved I just write the samples in two different locations within the same sheet.

After that I can just jot down the resulting table below (without writing the actual sheet commands) and maybe some instruction.

Makes all concepts very clear, for example when explaining n:m joins or window functions. Or just the general "table programming" concepts where you add columns rather than variables when you want something done.

Particularly well suited now in covid times when I have to explain things remotely.

SQL and sheets programming are just very closely related.