Lesson Zero

Lesson Zero LESSON ZERO is a not-for-profit advocacy group devoted to the socio-emotional well-being of children

~Education of the Spirit~

Did we perhaps take a wrong turn in public education when the creative and spiritual nature of children were no longer acknowledged, when their inner lives and unique potential were no longer respected and prioritized?

I know, there needs to be a separation of church and state, but when schools started to employ factory model testing, measurement and grading systems, did this become "soul crushing" for children?

Does ignoring the creative and spiritual nature of children mean that the cultivation of social and emotional intelligence (and creative self-direction) are ignored?

Maria Montessori seemed to think so, she said:

“To stimulate life, leaving it free, however, to unfold itself, that is the first duty of the educator. For such a delicate mission great art is required to suggest the right moment and to limit intervention, last one should disturb or lead astray rather than help the soul which is coming to life and which will live by virtue of it’s own efforts.”

Prior to 1900 most people believed in the existence of the soul. And looking at forms of education around the world, most were learner-centered apprenticeship models. Youth learned alongside their parents, family members or a craftsperson.

They learned a trade, it was all hands on. Mathematics and reading skills developed from tutoring initially and lots of practice. Human relationships were central and creativity was encouraged.

Children developed specialized craft and social skills in the company of family members and neighbors, from all forms of social interaction and collaborative creative activity within their local community.

Then industrialization began, factories were built, and education changed. It became formalized and mechanized, schools also structured and organized like a factory. Human individuality was ignored, as education was standardised.

Since the turn of the last century, children have been treated as cogs in the wheels of society, to be tested, measured and prepared for their roles as parts of the global industrial machine. But at what cost?

In the last 100 years we've been ignoring some very common sense wisdom that had been passed forward across the ages. As Aristotle put it, "educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.”

To see a child as a "soul" metaphysical beliefs are not required, one can be agnostic about metaphysics, but if we ignore the human "spirit" and inner life of children, we then ignore their unique wishes, creative potential, individual talents, interests and feelings...

That leads to the situation where children are treated by education "reformers," curriculum designers and lawmakers as objects, machines, robots to be programmed, tested and measured.

Isn't that what has happened?

~Christopher Chase
The Art of Learning

Let a Child’s Spirit Be Free to Unfold – M. Montessori
https://creativesystemsthinking.wordpress.com/2015/03/17/let-a-childs-spirit-be-free-to-unfold-m-montessori/

Self Direction is the Key to Mastery
https://creativesystemsthinking.wordpress.com/2014/02/17/self-direction-is-the-key-to-mastery/

How Children Naturally Learn
https://creativesystemsthinking.wordpress.com/2015/09/18/how-children-naturally-learn/

Educational Malpractice- The Child Manufacturing Process
https://creativesystemsthinking.wordpress.com/2014/11/05/educational-malpractice-the-child-manufacturing-process/

Brushes from nature. ❤️

Throwback, made some natural handmade brush for the young children to explore!

#工艺 #画笔 #自然 #クラフト #絵筆

Pause.

To look at a child's world through his/her eyes. :)

The worldview of childhood...

is taking a break to up some skills. Be back second half of 2017! Till then, take care and be joyful! 😘

(images reproduced with permission)

In the final session of the year with Peter (pseudonym), he repeats the symbols of fences and enclosures.

Here, Peter projects Teddy* seating within the fence receiving nurturance from Peter, as he fed Teddy some imaginary chocolate milk from the milk bottle.

Peter's play with fences had been a consistent theme over our three sessions of play.

From:
1st session: two animals in battle within the fence (bottom right) to
2nd session: a lush underwater grassland within the fence (bottom left) to
3rd session: Teddy being nurtured in a fence (top).

Question for you,
What do you think lies in Peter's unconscious? What do you think Peter was trying to express? Share your thoughts by commenting below. :)

[Teddy* was a play companion given to Peter at the beginning of the play session.

Play companions are given to children at the start to offer comfort and support during play. After the end of the play sessions, the companion is then given to the child for keepsake, and more importantly, as a symbol of positive experiences in the playroom. ]

(images reproduced with permission)

Remember 6-year-old Peter (pseudonym)?

In Peter's second session, he continues to expand upon his inclination towards enclosures and barricades.

In the first picture, Peter plays with two opposing play items (i.e. the soldier and the reptilian robot). In between the two items, is a road-block barricade.

In the second picture, Peter repeats the notion of enclosure, except this time, a wondrous underwater world with many trees is created.

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honourably.
He may be clearing you out for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

Rumi

image retrieved from:
http://www.juniperberry.nl/wp-content/uploads/This-being-human-is-a-guesthouse.jpg?0af60a

(images reproduced with permission)

So what goes on in a play session?

In our first session on 23 Sep, our client, 6-year-old Peter (pseudonym), spontaneously surfaced the theme of "enclosure" in the forty-five minute session.

"Enclosure" is shown in both pictures; the first, being two reptilian robots within a fenced-up area; the second, a white car in a castle-like garage.

And if you are sharp enough, you would notice that in both "enclosures", there is an outlet, albeit a small one.

We have updated our website. Check out the new lessonzero at www.lessonzero.org today!

More cool toys, tracks, soldier figurines, animal squiggies, Olaf and Elsa figurines, tail battlers, trolley and blocks from Evon, Wenru & friends and Little Sophie. 🙏😊