My understanding of this article is schools tend to put more emphasis on classic literacy education. This means schools focus on how to make children learn to read, learn math and understand different ideas instead of using their imaginative and creative minds. Many parents and school administrators fear this idea of playful schooling for the possibilities of achievement gaps between students and other schools who don't use playful education. The article goes into detail about how playful literacy schooling could shrink achievement gaps between marginalized students or children who are educationally challenged. Allowing a more imaginative and creative lifestyle for these students would allow every student a fair chance at success. Many times schools waste their time by teaching subjects to students that doesn't resonate with them or get them excited to learn. This is where we see students disengage and become lost in the material rather than be excited to learn. Literacy development is imperative for a child's success and critical literacy schooling sets many children up to become lost in the materials and fall behind.
A connection I made to this article is the schooling practiced in Norway and Sweden. These two countries instead of sending their kids to elementary school at the age of 6, allow their children to go through guided imagination led schooling, where these children are submerged in nature and learn how to use their imagination to build and play. This style of schooling is becoming popular and is wildly celebrated in Scandinavia. Through the ages of 5-9, these kids get to play in the woods while developing critical thinking skills, social skills and teamwork skills. After these 4 years, they are then brought to elementary school where they learn literacy skills and math. This technique of schooling is fair and balanced and allows all children to develop at similar speeds, regardless of educational ability. The use of play for children is practiced and valued in Scandinavia and hopefully we will see this type of schooling more frequently throughout the world
Hi John, I like how you talked about the way the article outlined the different atmospheres of alternative schooling programs and the outcomes of those differences. It is interesting to think about the way the education system, especially in the US, shapes the development of the maturing generations. The author talks about playful education as a positive enforcement of social and behavioral skills. I think this is an important aspect to consider when conducting an educational program. Not only is literacy development an important part of childhood, but social and behavioral development are equally important and those skills are not matured through traditional education.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your contribution to the article by taking note of other forms of alternative education in foreign countries. I'd never heard of the schooling programs available in Scandinavia, but I am happy to hear that they value outdoor learning environments and teaching young, school-age kids critical thinking, teamwork, and social skills. I have found in my life the times where I am in an outdoor environment with a variety of learning methods to promote diverse learning, I have retained more information and maintained a more positive mindset throughout because of the playful learning environment. There are certainly positive outcomes that should be more thoroughly researched and developed because I believe it would potentially reshape how our education system operates and evolves to meet our social needs as a culture.
Hi John!
ReplyDeleteI like how you noted the ways that the education system's habit of following a classic literacy pattern. You did a good job explaining the different ways that this style can hinder certain children's learning. I agree with you that allowing more imaginative play in childhood education can help create a more even "playing field" among the children learning regardless of their learning abilities.
I really enjoyed your personal connection. This is my first experience hearing about this teaching style in Scandinavia. I think that it is an extremely good example of Nelson's ideas put in practice. I am excited to hear that this learning style is having a positive outcome and that it is being used more frequently. I think that it is very beneficial for young children to learn more practical problem solving and hands on experience in group work and decision making, and it sounds like what they are doing in Scandinavia is actually working.
Thank you for sharing.