Do we teach what our children need

[Harinder Sraw]

 Dear All

 Some reflections to share with you ....... Do we teach what our children need? 

How many of us are aware of the diversity of emotions that decide how our children learn? We plan our lessons, choose materials, tools,aids, then employ techniques that make us more confident and better empowered to TEACH.

The core issue still remains- it's a teacher at the centre of all pre delivery preparation. The child for whom all these efforts are made, is still at the receiving end. The learner is still expected to know the learning outcome, he is supposed to appreciate the meticulous preparation of the teacher, admire him/ her for the craft ,like his / her style and so on , but no matter how good the content, or the strategy or the intent is will learning make an impact on a child's life unless he / she connects with what is provided?

The   more time I spend with youngsters, the more I am compelled to  reflect on the suggestion that they don't need content in the classrooms. What they need is experiences that they cherish. They need the ownership and need to be told not just what to do, but also why to do it.

What is immediately reflected through examination  scores is not always an indicator of learning. Many learners reflect their true potential when they are ready to share, and when they have gained the confidence to express what they know. That means, it was not lack of knowledge, but only lack of confidence to express it; the learning had already happened!  Why are we judgmental then, to classify  our students as ‘super brilliant’ or ‘not so great’ or ‘just average’?

It's time we take our inner calling and see our classrooms from the perspective of the children.  We need the shift from me giving the best to the  child, to letting the child choose the best, or being happy with what he settles for. It's time we stop micromanaging every activity of our children and instead, give them space to bloom.

Please do add your thoughts and reflections to this chain of thoughts.

With warm regards

Harinder K. Sraw
Education Developer
Innovator and Trainer 
EH III-503, Eldeco Utopia 
Sec. 93, Taj Expressway
NOIDA-201304
Mobile: +91-9818097009
Direct:  +91-120-4258870
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