Back to: Childhood and Growing Up – Unit 3,4
Introduction
Childhood is the period between infancy and adolescence. Jean Jacques Rousseau, an 18th-century philosopher, observed childhood as a period occurring between birth and 12 years.
Nature of Education during Childhood
Childhood is a period during which feelings of jealousy, insecurity, and pride develop due to which the nature of education should be as follows:
- Childhood is a period during which children are looking for ideals upon whom they model themselves due to which it is important for teachers and elders to serve as good role models.
- Children should be given adequate mental exercises to ensure proper development of their mind.
- Childhood is a period of various interests. Therefore, teachers should take the interests of children into consideration and teach accordingly.
- Children are keen to learn about the world around them and the reality. Hence, teaching social sciences such as Geography, History, and Civics is important.
- During childhood, children’s writing skills should be emphasized upon and they should be given creative writing exercises.
- The all round development of children should be stressed upon due to which teachers should encourage their participation in co-curricular activities.
- Bookish knowledge should not be emphasized much during childhood. Oral exercises should be included more to increase their knowledge.
- The co-curricular activities included in the curriculum should be child oriented.
- Different traits such as cooperation, kindness, honesty, politeness, love, and discipline should be developed during childhood.
- Teachers should project good behavior and act as a good example because children look up to their teachers.
