Philosophy of Education Vol. 6 Ch. 5

The Sacredness of Personality

This Chapter centers on valuing each child’s unique personality. The point is made that too often children are used as pawns in a game to basically do what adults wish them to do. This can stem from wrong perceptions that adults are superior to children. We are encouraged to consider the words of the Lord that we are to “become like little children”. We are warned in scripture to not despise, hinder, or offend them by our actions or thoughts but rather are told to “feed My lambs”
One way that teachers obtained discipline and motivation in schools was through fear. While this may not be the case in most schools today, there are several other methods that are just as devaluing of children to make them learn.
The first is love. When we motivate a child by getting them to behave and learn solely to please the teacher or parent, with statements such as “Do this for me” or “I will be so sad if you do…..” we take advantage of the love they have for us. They may learn to behave properly but their character is being undermined.
Suggestion is another method by which some try to motivate. This is a subtle prompting of the child to perform a given task. However, the “suggestions” merely train the child to look for prompting from the teacher instead of learning to find the internal strength to learn the material.
Finally, there is influence. Charlotte describes influence as not the words or actions of the teacher but more of “an atmosphere” that proceeds from the teacher and envelops the student. Influence of good morals from on to another is a very wholesome thing but when the teacher uses their influence with students, who in turn begin to idolize or worship the teacher, they become like a “parasitic plant” and they don’t grow strong in themselves but are always looking for someone else to “cling to”.
Children also have a few natural desires that, if not carefully developed for the good, will also be a hindrance to their personality.
One is approval. Children desire approval. Under the right guidance, this can help them be obedient or excel in school work. However, with the lack of guidance the child will seek out any approval whether it is worthless or virtuous.
Emulation, the desire to excel, and Avarice, the desire to gain or achieve, can also hinder the child by making the focus of their education turn from delighting in what they learn to only receiving the highest marks or scholarships.
Ambition is detrimental when the student is not given a wholesome desire to master knowledge but instead turns the ambition into the desire to master people. Ambition can be a great character trait when it is used in serving others.
It is a shame that the educational systems believe that children see the desire for knowledge like a bad tasting medicine and try to do anything to disguise learning by making students dependent on grades, or sports, or entertainment. This is producing children who are pleasant and good natured but have no ability to think “great thoughts”. No part of our soul should be without education through the delight of knowledge.