Perhaps it is time us as educators to revisit some core beliefs. Often those beliefs determine how we treat children.
Let’s start with the one that has causes the most damage.
Educators over the last thirty years have bought into the modern doctrines that have taken us into directions that are not good for children. In fact they make it easy to think of children as lumps of putty to be shaped into whatever we want.
The core belief that all children can learn every subject at a high level is a product of this faulty thinking.
The research is overwhelming. It shows that we do not come into this world with a blank slate but rather with already established, unique talents, and needs. For this reason, educators should spend less time forcing children into that which is just not there and focus more on bringing out the strengths within them.
Look at the etymology of the word educate………….to bring out.
As Don Clifton, Former President of Gallup shared with a group of educators over dinner one night, “You know how hard it is to bring out that which is within a child much less trying to force in that which is not there.”
It’s time to stop changing how we assess children driven by a faulty belief system and focus on changing our belief system to focus on what is good for children... putty should be left in the art room.
Let’s start with the one that has causes the most damage.
Educators over the last thirty years have bought into the modern doctrines that have taken us into directions that are not good for children. In fact they make it easy to think of children as lumps of putty to be shaped into whatever we want.
The core belief that all children can learn every subject at a high level is a product of this faulty thinking.
The research is overwhelming. It shows that we do not come into this world with a blank slate but rather with already established, unique talents, and needs. For this reason, educators should spend less time forcing children into that which is just not there and focus more on bringing out the strengths within them.
Look at the etymology of the word educate………….to bring out.
As Don Clifton, Former President of Gallup shared with a group of educators over dinner one night, “You know how hard it is to bring out that which is within a child much less trying to force in that which is not there.”
It’s time to stop changing how we assess children driven by a faulty belief system and focus on changing our belief system to focus on what is good for children... putty should be left in the art room.