Child-centred learning is considered to be a philosophy, as opposed to a methodology and therefore no two classrooms are alike. Generally speaking, however, a child-centred teaching tries to create an environment, which will motivate the children to discover new skil and knowledge. Teachers are no longer supposed to transfer facts into passive student's heads, but rather, facilitate their discovery of relevant information. As a result, teachers rarely stand infront of the class and teach a lesson. Instead, activity centers may be set up around the room with the children moving from station to station or students might be assigned to work together in group on a project. Relatively little whole-class teaching takes place; rather teachers in use method such as -
● Peer tutoring.
● Individual and group projects.
● Teacher conferencing with one student while the rest of class work alone.
Learning takes place as he strives to meet his needs and gives expression to his drives. Here, immediate purpose and intereste are the motivating factors, which may go on changing with the situation.
Characteristics of Child-Centred Education :
As child is the Centre of Education, development of mind, body and spirit of the child should be reflected in the programme and planning of education.
The following points need be considered for promoting child-centred education -
1. Freedom : Education was not the privilege of any single class, but the right of every child belonging to different classes. Freedom was granted to the child to discover things than getting secondhand information through books. Emphasis was, as they like, given on the freedom of children to learn and create.
2. Self-activities : Games and songs and occupations, designed especially to stimulate the child's self-activity. He laid great stress on self-development of the child and believed that child's activity should stem from his own interests.
3. Process of spontaneous development : The child progresses at its own speed in a subject. The role of the teacher is to understand the child. The child's freedom and individuality have found expression spontaneously in the lap of nature.
4. Development of interest and needs : The education of child depends on his interest and needs. The physical, social, moral and spiritual development of the child is "the main objective" of the child centred education.
5. Education based on experience : The main objective of child centred education is to enable the child to learn through experience which is permanent. The course and subjects should be experience oriented to meet the need of the child.
Thus, child centred education is a sort of revolt against subject centred education. Child centred education seeks to provide natural flow of activity and spontaneous grow of the child. He must be allowed to enjoy complete freedom of action subject to the condition that he should not interfere with the freedom of others. The teacher's role is that of an instrested observer and at best that of a guide who encourages, advises and stimulates the child, if and when needed. The child is stimulated to activity by his own felt needs and inner drives.
Written by : Jayanta Kumar Meher (BSc, BEd)
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