Here is the second in a four part series of blog entries on The Raleigh School's beautiful logo.
Upper Right - Dot in the Square
Interpretation #1 – “Child-centered”
Interpretation #2 – “Developing each child’s sense of self”
1. Child-centered
At the turn of the 19th century, all of the educational landscape was deliberately not child-centered. Educators believed that there was a set body of knowledge that children needed to master. It was the job of each student to memorize and then eventually recite the facts prescribed by the teacher. It was a group of educators during the progressive era of the early 20th century that forged a new relationship between learners and information. The term child-centered became part of the educational landscape in the 1920’s. What does it mean to be child-centered? Here are a few ways that TRS teachers put children at the center.
· The teacher’s role is transformed from one who imparts knowledge to one who helps children make discoveries about their world.
· Students play an active role in their own learning. Students have both voice and (prescribed) choices in their learning.
· Teachers are focused not just academic learning. They are deeply committed to the social, emotional and ethical development of children.
2. Developing Each Child’s Sense of Self
Here is an excerpt from PBS’s Whole Child segment on the web.
“People who have a positive sense of self feel like they have something worthwhile to contribute and a sense of internal worth. They are able to venture out into the world, work toward attaining their goals, and welcome life with anticipation and pleasure.
This self-concept develops very early in life… Children who have self-confidence have a feeling of internal worth that enables them to welcome challenges and work cooperatively with others. When children don't develop self-confidence, they tend to focus on failure instead of success, problems instead of challenges, and difficulties instead of possibilities. There is no single way to enhance self-esteem, but one way is to show children "unconditional positive regard." Let your children know that you care about them, accept them, and approve of them, no matter what. Your challenge is to accept your child as a person, even when you do not accept his behavior.”
This self-concept develops very early in life… Children who have self-confidence have a feeling of internal worth that enables them to welcome challenges and work cooperatively with others. When children don't develop self-confidence, they tend to focus on failure instead of success, problems instead of challenges, and difficulties instead of possibilities. There is no single way to enhance self-esteem, but one way is to show children "unconditional positive regard." Let your children know that you care about them, accept them, and approve of them, no matter what. Your challenge is to accept your child as a person, even when you do not accept his behavior.”
I couldn’t have said it better.
No comments:
Post a Comment