ExchangeEveryDay Past Issues

Right on, Judy!
I certainly experienced better learning amongst the children in my classroom when they were engaged in fun ways of learning whatever they had to learn, no matter what field. When we sang or made up fun ways to remember things, they certainly remembered them better than when I had sat them down and told them things. Being involved with their whole bodies in all ways always creates those good paths to memory for all of us, from children all the way to the elderly. Now that I am retired, I go into classrooms and child care centres with my beekeeping equipment and I certainly find that where there is a good cheerful, joy filled atmsophere in the classroom, I get the best, most creative questions. So, keep it up, all those of you who are already filling children's lives with joy!

Teaching joy is a mission of mine. I am a fundraising professional. I give students/families lessons and intelligent products to sell for their fundraising needs. I impart my love for recycling, organics, nutrition, and laughter.
Teachers, parents, and students are all under the pressure of life’s challenges. We all have the ability to be joyful, if that is what we wish to focus on.
Instead of time out, opt-in for laughter. The skill of learning laughter techinques in the classroom, would improve the lifestyles of all for years to come.
Don't leave joy behind.

The same can be said for teachers who approach the new school term with anticipation of working with eager children and families, but are overburdened by standards and requirements. They become so stressed that they forget the joy of why they chose this profession. As Director of a preschool, I encourage my teachers to take time to breathe, relax, and listen to the children's laughter. It is easier to be creative and alert when you are having fun!

It is so true that children learn more, and retain what they have learned, when they are actively engaged and enjoying the process. As educators and parents we must strive to find ways to teach skills in ways that children WANT to participate. We can teach math skills, reading, and social skills if the content is interesting to children. Just look at how easy children of all ages are able to operate todays technology. How often do we hear "I don't like to read" However, they never mind reading the instructions on those video games now do they.No one ever has to force them.

I am a special ed assistant and this is so true. I see it more and more, the loss of interest even in the most enthusiastic children, even if they have good grades the joy of learning has gone out of them, they feel pressured, stressed and creativity suffers because of fear of not doing their very best or not pleasing the teacher. Teachers still berate children when they do something foolish or silly. The teachers themselves are under so much pressure they have no joy to bring into the classroom. They forget they are children, not statistics. The teachers at my school are fantastic, but I'm seeing more stress on their face lately. In the lounge they eat while reading or grading papers. In Italy teachers are among the highest paid and respected for what they do. Here teachers require higher education than most fields and are paid the least. We as a country are upside down. Nancy

Absolutely on target as far as I'm concerned. I work with children of divorce and they especially need joy and comfort in order to learn. They don't leave their problems from home at the door. Many walk into their classrooms and church programs in the brain stem. It's all about fight or flight. They don't have the ability to memorize; the energy to problem solve or the desire to do anything except sit or fight. And we wonder why these kids fail?

Joy is an almost forgotten term. When was the last time most of us thought of learning as a delight, a pleasure, blissful, being elated or thrilling? Our sad and despondent kids need these kind of environments to survive and in surviving they will learn.

The worst thing a teacher can do for a child of a fresh divorce is expect them to sit and listen to a lecture. Bring a calm excitement into these children's lives.

Judy is absolutely on target!

Outstanding - give us more. This is the very thing we all know, all us who understand brain development, even intuitively, know well. Why do we have to preach it? Why is there such resistance? Why do we not let children learn the way they learn best? Shout it from the rooftop. Whether it be in the home or in the center or out in nature, joyful and relaxed discovery and responsive personal relationship will develop each of us to our full potential. This is what our creator intended. This is the way we are made.

Pam Pryfogle, Early Childhood Consultant

I appreciate the article, for the simple fact that I am the mother of a 4 year old, and my hope and dreams for her is success, but at what cost. The school systems expects so much from children today that it does end up produceing bored kids. I planned on removing my daughter from the YMCA because of it, but what I know but sometimes forget is she will only be a kid for so long and it's gone. I want her to enjoy learning. I tend to be hard on her and I can see the affects of strick teaching and fun teaching she looks better and less disappointed when she does not answer correctly so thanks again for keeping me grounded and focused...

I think this idea that learning should be 'fun' is misguided and I have thought so since I first encountered this notion in my undergraduate years. The learning environment can promote participation and learning if the teacher createss an environment that is not oppressive. This idea of 'fun' does not correlate with the concept of 'work' and many new teachers are handicapped by their efforts to create activities with built-in motivation.