Formation of an Alterniative Education in Aisia Interest Group

[okezie]

HI everyone,
I am a mother and early childhood educator, who has worked in international schools in China and Hong Kong for over 6 years. I am passionate about education and have a firm belief that children are strong, capable, creative human beings who are more than capable of building their own theories. More often than not, in the race for "excellence", children are denied their right to be viewed as such! Most children are force fed a teacher and adult led curriculum that is not in the child's best interest. More often than not, children are told to think, play, speak and paint the way the teacher says, wether it is stated explicitly or implicitly by the adult. More often than not, schools will boast an, "inquiry based, child led, play based curriculum" when really, it is not. The injustice this serves to our children is massive and unforgivable. As a parent of three, I feel a sudden urgency and fire in me to get like minded people together. I want to meet with other interested people in Hong Kong and Asia who are also interested in raising the issue of education that supports the image of a child as strong, full of potential. I have created a facebook page, "Alternative Education Asia". Please simply join the page and take part in dialogue with other like minded people. Share ideas, issues, research.

[tenten]

Hi Okezie, sorry, am not on Facebook but as a new mum, I hear what you are saying and find it dismaying that there's so much needless pressure/emphasis around "education" in this day and age. I'm curious what you would propose/envision for a truly "child-led" curriculum. Not an educator or child development specialist in any sense so would love to hear your ( and others ) thoughts.
Posted via Mobile Device

[okezie]

I am so wrapped up in my facebook world i foget that some people dont use it!! Tenten - a truly child led curriculum is, and has been, done. I actually carry it out in my daily life with my children at home and with 23 young children at the school I work at in Hong Kong.

Let me just mention that there seem to be two paradigms - one side says that children should be filled, are to be taught and are basically born empty and it is up to adults to give them what they need. the other side accepts the right of a child to be able to create their own theories, to be leaders in their own learning and creators (and co-creators) of their own understandings. I speak to many parents in my day to day life and so many parents, having the best intentions for their children, still do not see children as having capabilities and strengths. I am not sure how old your baby is, but their right to be seen as strong and capable beginsn from birth...so how do you support this right?

I am usually faced with blank looks when I tell some adults that children express themselves in more ways than we know, and it is up to us to strive to support children in expressing themselves in the many "languages" they know. Adults have to learn to LISTEN!

Before I tell you what a truly 'child - led' curriculum is from my side, I would love to hear what you and other parents might envision it as.