http://thiskindylife.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/reflections-on-learning-in-reggio-plc.htmlLoris Malaguzzi, founder of Reggio Emilia's educational philosophy, pointed out in the 1970's that when learning and playing are seen as the same matter, then we create the environment from which joy can emerge.
More and more parents and educators are today raising their voice because they believe in the fundamental value of this joy. Instead, current models of education are asking pupils, from preschool to college, to "discover the world already there", limiting learning to just one way of learning. Even worse, education is going to be made of another matter, grey coloured, far away from joy: policies with the specific targets of putting academic tests at the forefront, leaving in the back children's emotional development and wellbeing (see here the diary item about PISA test proposal and endorsement by the UK Minister for Education Nick Gibb). It seems that politicians in power have entirely disconnected from the world of learning and children, and become exclusively obsessed with the make-believe world of statistics.
Here is Malaguzzi's eloquent poem, narrated at the opening of Reggio's 'Not just Anyplace' video:
When I arrived in Northern Ireland three years ago, I clashed with what education is becoming here: early literacy and numeracy pressure, task-based approach, learning-achievement based view (also, based on test results). All this is very distant from my idea of school. The recent Times Newspaper article of Warwick Mansell illustrates well this common situation: a mounting pressure for kids in schools, without a care for its potential effects on pupils.
I felt very concerned, with an urgent need for change. I said to myself: why don't we try to think what education could be instead, by encouraging the innate human desire of enquiry, expression, creating new knowledge? I started to look for parents with common ideas of education. And there are many, we are many, really! Our 'Parents in Dialogue' group is just beginning, in connection with campaigns like More than a Score and Let Our Kids Be Kids.
Petitions are growing and gathering parents that want to be listened to by the government about their common vision of education. Together, we all are acting 'against policies which harm our children's happiness, health and well being' (LKBK) and believe in a primary education that is 'creative, bright, varied and colourful … inspiring a love of learning through a joy filled curriculum' (LKBK).
These campaigns give us the opportunity to have a voice in reforming the present system and advocating for a 'better alternative for assessment and accountability' (MTAS). For example, MTAS points out that the current system of education is resulting in: 'a narrowing of the curriculum', 'the introduction of an unrealistic set of standards … which undermine some children's sense of themselves as learners, 'the exclusion of large groups of students - particularly pupils with special educational needs and disabilities - from mainstream learning activities', 'an increase in numbers of children suffering from school-related anxiety and mental health problems', 'a fall in teachers' morale, contributing to serious problems recruiting and retaining staff'. Just to list some.
Local groups are spreading and everyone can make the difference.
Please, sign the petitions here and here. Every single voice is important!
If we, as parents, are looking for a change, this is because we want to protect one of the most precious matters of humanity: joy in our children's lives – in all our lives, in fact.
