Respect for their abilities.

For most of our history (Human history), children have not been treated with much respect.

Actually, animals had the right to protect them (1840) long before children had them (1924).

The logic was clear, we needed to protect our transportation (horses), what fed us (pigs, chicken), and what helped us worked more efficiently (Donkeys).

It was nothing short of a revolution when John Dewey wrote his book My Pedagogic Creed, 1916.

His belief was that “to prepare children for the future life means to give him command of himself; it means so to train him that he will have the full and ready use of all his capacities”

This was 104 years ago.

When democratic principles were making the rounds of the intellectual halls and universities, not as a political movement, but as a social one.

Dewey made the case for the importance of education not only as a place to gain content knowledge but also as a place to learn how to live. In his eyes, the purpose of education should not revolve around the acquisition of a pre-determined set of skills, but rather the realization of one’s full potential and the ability to use those skills for the greater good. (society)

We believe that these extraordinary times -a pandemic- is the perfect time to remind ourselves of the power of Dewey’s vision. Montessori and Reggio Emilio adopted similar values (both education philosophies were born during periods when extreme political movements were flourishing.)

This is how they understood respect for children’s abilities:
- Use good manners when speaking to them.
- Accept and encourage mistakes.
- Listen.
- Let them do for themselves.
- Don’t force them to share. Promote giving instead.
- Allow them to make choices.

Man, do we have work to do!

What about this?

If you like the content of this newsletter SHARE it with other parents
If you LOVE the content, then book a session with us at dōjō STREAM
If you want to learn from kids listen to our dōjōUNSCRIPTED podcast.