Most schools claim to want to help students reach their full potential, but how many actually do?
Sometimes messiness is necessary.
"80% of what adults say to children is a command," said Thomas Hobson (often known as Teacher Tom) at the "Happiness in Education" workshop organized by the Institute for Educational Research and Human Resource Development (EDI) of TH Group late last year.
Tom is an early childhood education expert and a world-renowned education blogger from the United States. Following the above statement, he introduced several psychological experiments, suggesting ways to communicate and stimulate critical thinking in children.
Teachers from the TH School system are exchanging professional knowledge.
Professor Thomas Hobson at the "Happiness in Education" workshop.
Teacher Tom also shared some interesting insights about education, such as the fact that children don't actually need toys; they need opportunities to interact with the real world . Or, in early childhood education, debate is an important part of learning to collaborate with others. Taking risks is essential for a child's healthy intellectual and socio-emotional development. And educators must also accept that "sometimes mess is necessary" in children's play and learning process…
According to Mr. Tom, disagreements are an important part of learning how to collaborate with others.
According to Tom, a child-led learning program (a play-based educational model) fosters curiosity, self-motivation, empathy, and purpose in children. Education should focus on sparking curiosity, joy, and community. For him, building the classroom as a community is more important than turning it into a "learning factory."
Other international experts attending the aforementioned workshop shared the view on integrating happiness and personal goals into the educational environment. Renowned educator Martin Skelton, founding advisor of TH School, a prominent educator, and co-author of the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), argued that many factors influence academic success, and happiness is one of the most important.
Mr. Martin Skelton, founding advisor of TH School
Having a good idea alone is not enough.
According to Professor Yong Zhao (University of Kansas, USA), "true happiness and well-being come from doing meaningful work rather than just learning how to be happy." What education needs to do is engage students in meaningful and important work, and help them develop their unique talents, using those talents to create value for others, thereby achieving a happy and meaningful life.
However, Professor Zhao also expressed concern about the fact that while there are many good ideas in education, the learning environment ultimately remains largely unchanged. "Everyone has wonderful things to say about education. Or, as Professor Tom said, every parent wants their children to be happy. But are the children truly happy? If the answer is 'no,' what do we do?" Professor Zhao questioned.
Professor Yong Zhao believes that every child is different, each born with their own unique talents.
Professor Yong Zhao believes that every child is different, each born with their own unique talents.
According to him, the problem with education is not about coming up with good ideas, but about whether we actually deliver on our promises. "How many schools claim to want to help students reach their potential, but how many actually do?" Professor Zhao questioned.
According to this expert, every child is different, each born with their own unique talents. Therefore, schools should not create a competitive environment that makes children envious and selfish, but rather help them recognize their own value and potential to contribute to society. True happiness comes from each person doing something meaningful, having the freedom to choose, and building relationships to support others. That is the goal that education should strive for.
Stephen West, Director of EDI, believes that the philosophy of happiness in education emphasizes integrating emotional and psychological well-being into education. In Vietnam, this philosophy is gaining increasing attention. However, the implementation of the happy school model still faces some challenges, such as a lack of resources and difficulties in changing the perceptions of some teachers and parents. Nevertheless, the trend of introducing the happy school model into Vietnamese education is growing and is expected to bring positive changes, helping students not only succeed academically but also develop emotionally and spiritually.
EDI Director Stephen West stated that the philosophy of happiness in education emphasizes integrating emotional and psychological well-being into education.
At TH School, the school has integrated various methods to foster student happiness. EDI helps the school's teachers equip themselves with the necessary tools and strategies to build a positive learning environment. "We are delighted to have integrated the philosophy of happiness into our training activities, ensuring that each teacher can enhance students' learning experiences in a joyful way," said Stephen West.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hoc-cach-cong-tac-tu-tranh-cai-185250306153307201.htm
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