Elements from the major educational philosophies, Progressivism, Perennialism, Essentialism, and Existentialism comprise most teachers’ approaches to education. With the goal of developing students’ abilities to reason, to make good choices, to grow in knowledge and skills, and to function as members of society, teachers embark on a quest to engage active learners as they explore the world and construct meaning from their experiences.
While learners possess a wide range of skills, intelligences, and abilities, they share a common need to develop physically, mentally, and emotionally. The responsibility of acting in loco parentis requires that teachers and schools attend to the needs of the students. Because the school takes a child from his home for nearly half of his waking hours, the school has a responsibility to fill those hours with meaningful, empowering activities. Team teachers with low student/teacher ratios can help students approach learning in a positive manner, develop peer-cooperation skills, work well in groups, and develop self-management behavior skills. Because children’s bodies are not designed to sit on a hard chair at a desk for hours, kinesthetic, hands-on activities attend to the students’ dual needs for education and physical movement. By providing a learner-centered education, adequate outdoor exercise breaks, and nutritious refreshment throughout the day, schools can help to establish healthy habits and provide models for positive environments and productive behaviors.
As teachers and schools lead students in the exploration of the environment, students gain a deeper understanding of the world and their ability to function in society. When students to make connections between classroom activities and their personal experiences, education moves beyond the classroom and empowers students’ lives.
