SELF DIRECTED LEARNING AND PLAY
A child’s genuine interest and self-chosen, often spontaneous activities are real evidence of authentic age-appropriate learning and understanding. This personal engagement is critical to a deep learning experience that is maintained over the years rather than just being accessed temporarily to succeed on a test. From the European child-centered schools, where self-directed learning has been used for over 30 years, they have seen that self-motivation, self-improvement, self-correction, and self-esteem naturally become part of a child’s being over time.
At SAGE self-directed learning includes the choice for one-on-one presentations and small group lessons. In addition, learning companions and students can keep track of progress and document activities in a specially prepared portfolio. Students may follow an age-appropriate sequence of skills that serves as an overview and guideline for a child’s learning. However, all of the above is optional because we feel the most important element is each child’s personal choice, which reflects their inner development and higher guidance. Play, imagination and spontaneity are powerful self-healing and self-educating energies, which are equally important to academics, So, if a child chooses play over lessons for an extended time, this is honored and we trust that learning and development are taking place fully.
Inherent Benefits of Self Directed Learning:
Children......
At SAGE self-directed learning includes the choice for one-on-one presentations and small group lessons. In addition, learning companions and students can keep track of progress and document activities in a specially prepared portfolio. Students may follow an age-appropriate sequence of skills that serves as an overview and guideline for a child’s learning. However, all of the above is optional because we feel the most important element is each child’s personal choice, which reflects their inner development and higher guidance. Play, imagination and spontaneity are powerful self-healing and self-educating energies, which are equally important to academics, So, if a child chooses play over lessons for an extended time, this is honored and we trust that learning and development are taking place fully.
Inherent Benefits of Self Directed Learning:
Children......
- remain connected to who they are
- are self-motivated and in touch with their interests, passions and gifts
- trust adults because they feel supported
- are free to be themselves and voice their opinion
- develop a positive inner voice as opposed to inner self-criticism
- don’t have to repress themselves to please somebody else
- don’t need to defend themselves to keep their authenticity
- feel respected, accepted and honored for who they are
- are happy
- develop self-responsibility and self-esteem
- develop problem-solving skills because they learn to find their own solutions
- develop multiple intelligences and become creative problem solvers
- can use math as a tool
- know how to clearly express themselves
- learn to appreciate literature, music, arts
FULFILLING GENUINE NEEDS
At the core of SAGE is the dedication to fulfill each child’s genuine needs. In this current generation children’s genuine needs are not being fulfilled. They suffer from being over scheduled, stressed, and out of touch with nature. Statistics on depression, cutting, bullying, and child suicide are staggering. It is essential for children to be allowed to fully be children during childhood, with ample time to play, dream, laugh, and have space to just BE. At SAGE we ensure that these things are part of the school day and honor play and imagination as equal to formal lessons.
The latest research on learning and the brain shows that fulfilling children’s genuine needs and the capacity for learning are directly connected. Children need to feel safe, they need to connect personally to what they are learning and they need a sense of belonging - looking forward to what they will do and who they will see. Criticism, having to sit still, and authoritarian environments shut down learning. The more personal needs are fulfilled, the more empathy children naturally develop towards others, and the more successful they are.
At SAGE we strive to meet the following genuine needs:
The latest research on learning and the brain shows that fulfilling children’s genuine needs and the capacity for learning are directly connected. Children need to feel safe, they need to connect personally to what they are learning and they need a sense of belonging - looking forward to what they will do and who they will see. Criticism, having to sit still, and authoritarian environments shut down learning. The more personal needs are fulfilled, the more empathy children naturally develop towards others, and the more successful they are.
At SAGE we strive to meet the following genuine needs:
- Emotional safety
- Healthy boundaries
- Personal choice regarding learning activities
- Time and space for imagination, play and to just be
- Tools for emotional processing and conflict resolution
- Healthy nutrition
- Free movement
- Nature connection
- Hands-on learning
- Intellectual inspiration
- Self-expression
- Community experiences
- Non-invasive teaching
- Team work and collaboration
- Bonding with teachers who at SAGE are called Learning Companions.