Educar en el asombro - Wonder and beauty in education Catherine L'Ecuyer

Summary

This transcript discusses the importance of nurturing children’s sense of wonder and curiosity in education. The speaker emphasizes that children are naturally filled with awe, which is the driving force behind their desire to learn. The lecture addresses the significance of respecting children’s natural rhythms, such as their need for silence, freedom, and a slower pace of life, to protect their sense of wonder. It also highlights the beauty as a core component in educating children, encouraging them to see the world through a lens of truth, goodness, and beauty, rather than mere utility and instruction.

Takeaways

• 😀 Children’s curiosity and questions are driven by wonder, not a need for explanation or to challenge established norms.
• 😀 Wonder is the driving force behind learning; it is inherent in children and should be respected by parents and educators.
• 😀 The vast amount of information available today is contrasted by the increasing struggles children face with attention and learning.
• 😀 Respecting children's natural rhythms and allowing them to experience wonder is essential for their development.
• 😀 Overstimulation through rapid media consumption disrupts children's attention and leads to a phenomenon called 'desire blockage.'
• 😀 Motivation in children comes from within, and it's crucial to encourage them to desire things to give them value and appreciation.
• 😀 Beauty plays a crucial role in attracting children’s attention and fostering their desire for knowledge.
• 😀 Beauty is not confined to art, museums, or churches; it can be found in nature, relationships, kindness, and even effort.
• 😀 True beauty is defined by philosophers as the visible expression of truth and goodness, and it resonates with a child's nature.
• 😀 To educate children effectively, we must focus on fostering beauty in everyday life, encouraging them to see beauty in values like generosity, kindness, and study.
• 😀 The way we, as parents and educators, model behavior is crucial—children learn by observing our attitudes and actions towards the world around them.

Q & A

Why are children's questions, like 'Why is the sky not yellow?', so important?

Children's questions are expressions of their natural wonder and curiosity about the world. These questions are not necessarily about seeking explanations, but about expressing awe at the world’s mysteries and discovering the reality around them.

What does the speaker mean by 'not giving the world for granted'?

'Not giving the world for granted' refers to maintaining a sense of wonder and amazement at the ordinary aspects of life, instead of becoming desensitized or assuming things are always the way they are.

How does the speaker relate 'awe' to learning and knowledge?

The speaker argues that awe is the desire for knowledge and the driving force behind learning. When children are in awe, they are motivated to explore and understand the world around them.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of respecting children's natural rhythms?

Respecting children's natural rhythms means allowing them to engage with the world at their own pace, without overwhelming them with artificial schedules or overstimulation, which is crucial for their emotional and intellectual growth.

What is the 'blocking of desire' phenomenon mentioned in the script?

The 'blocking of desire' occurs when children are constantly given everything they want without having the chance to desire or earn it, which leads to a lack of intrinsic motivation and a diminished sense of appreciation for what they receive.

How does modern media affect children's ability to concentrate and find beauty?

The speaker explains that modern media, especially children's shows with rapid image changes, overstimulate the senses, causing children to become bored with slower, more natural experiences and to lose their ability to appreciate beauty in everyday life.

What is the connection between beauty and motivation according to the speaker?

Beauty has the power to attract and inspire children. When children are exposed to beauty, whether through nature, kindness, or effort, it sparks their motivation to engage and learn. Beauty provides the emotional and intellectual nourishment needed for growth.

What does the speaker mean by 'beauty is the visible expression of truth and goodness'?

This means that beauty is not just superficial or aesthetic but is a manifestation of deeper values, such as truth and goodness. For children, encountering beauty helps them connect with these fundamental values and understand them more deeply.

What role does the educator or parent play in cultivating a child's sense of wonder?

Educators and parents are role models for children. Their actions and attitudes, particularly how they engage with beauty and the world around them, shape how children perceive and respond to life. Their ability to model wonder and appreciation for beauty is key to nurturing these qualities in children.

How does the speaker suggest that we can rehumanize education?

Rehumanizing education involves shifting from a mechanical, results-driven system to one that emphasizes the development of a child’s inner world, fostering qualities like wonder, beauty, and respect for the natural rhythm of learning.