Tuesday, March 01, 2011

The Whole Child



‘The popular method of filling the student’s mind with that which is not practical and hurrying him through a certain course, in order that he may obtain a diploma, is not true education. True education begins on the inside, at the core, with that which is practical.’

Goodloe Harper Bell, Review December 26, 1882

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I love this quote because it exhibits the need to develop the whole child.  Too many times parents and educators compartmentalize a child's development, keeping intellectual learning separate from vocational skills, musical expression or physical ability.  Seeing the child as a whole person and helping them develop in all facets of their being establishes the core of what true education really is.

3 comments:

  1. Now if more educators took that to heart, it would be a different world in the educational system.

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  2. DeniseC1:49 PM

    Educators, especially teachers, often do take this to heart. The problem is really not with the teachers but with the legislators (and other relevant government) who take the easiest and least expensive path (for them). They (and the corporations who heavily influence them) don't really want well rounded citizens. They want employable people who can be minimally trained (read, compute, follow directions) to do the labor of the corporations and government. It's a sad state of affairs and it frustrated me greatly as an educator.

    Parents (not all but many) are also part of the problem. Too many of them want what they knew as school and resisted change. Many also resisted homework and discipline or any of their own involvement in their children's education.

    I am so frustrated with teachers being blamed for the problems. Teachers have very little power. The problems are further up the ladder.

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