4 teaching methodologies you should know
When you have children, education is one of the main concerns among parents. After deciding it is time for your child to go to school, you have to face the dilemma of picking the best option, knowing which methodology is the ideal one, and many other questions come up when you think about this issue. Today, many teaching methodologies are available. What about knowing a little bit more about them and then deciding what is best for your baby?
Traditional
This methodology is the most popular and is applied in most Brazilian schools. It is focused on providing basic knowledge to all students. It is believed that no person can form a critical and questioning student without a solid information base. Those schools that follow this trend count on teachers who convey knowledge and information to students. Thus, students are already being prepared for the college admission examination since the start of their school curriculum.
Constructivist
Based on the idea that a child spontaneously builds its own knowledge base, by organizing the information acquired in the environment in which it lives, this method believes teachers cannot mold children’s skills. That is, daily learning activities are the basis for children’s knowledge, but that is strengthened and rebuilt at different times and in many different ways. Therefore, information and content are fundamental, but the process through which a student has access to them and establishes relationships and comparisons is the most important aspect.
This pedagogical line thus believes a child might become more critical, opinionated and inquisitive. At constructivist schools, situations are created in which students are stimulated to think and solve the proposed problems.
Montessori Method
This Italian methodology believes in a child’s independence, where it is responsible for its own learning process, without any interference by adults. Thus, the learning pace of every child is respected and all students are equally stimulated. This method proposes the use of motor and sensory activities that can bring students closer to science, the arts and music.
Waldorf
Based on the idea that children’s education must be fully dedicated to their development and not based on promoting professional qualification and economic productivity, this methodology is highly focused on nature and the environment.
The Waldford method is also highly linked to manual tasks, such as creative workshops, because it believes such activities promote brain activity, in addition to improving concentration.
In those schools that follow this pedagogical line, students are divided as per age, and not as per grades as done in traditional schools, since they believe each age group has their own specific needs. And since the biological rhythm cannot be altered, there is no grade retention scheme.
Every child has a different rhythm when learning. Avoid making comparisons and remember that what works for one person might not work for another. Do not fear change if your child does not adapt to any specific methodology.
And so, what is the method of your choice?