I have recently returned from a placement Ghana in West Africa were I
worked in an underprivilidged school for children aged 3 - 10. For the
first week I observed the teachers methods of getting the children to
repeat what she said in a large group, to the beat of her cane.
Occasionally they would be allowed to write on slates, if there were enough
or in excercise books for the few who had them. Whilst this happened, the
younger and the (in her words) "stupid" children were to sit in scilence as
it was a waste of time them trying. When I took over the class, under her
supervision, I introduced a free drawing time, (this concept of free range
too a while to grasp), learning were they did not repeat exactly what I
said, but answered questions and came up to the board to write letters,
stood up to perform actions etc. Wednesdays was PE day, were some who had
it came in some form of pe kit, though sports had never been done, and much
to the head teachers satisfaction, I started up a small program of sports,
as with the non - religious singing with actions(which was also new), the
children had moments of overexcitability (if that is a word!) and it got in
to a bit of an unruley rabbel, at which the teacher would cane them. This
whole school of thought, of absolute disapline and lack of play in children
so young, was a real eye oppener. As a play worker we learn the vital
importance play has in all areas of development. Do these aparantly Western
views not belong in developing countries, and if not why not?
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