Humanism by

Foundational Belief

cmacadae0023 — 2024-08-15 18:45:42 UTC

All learners, especially children have innate goodness in them and education should function as a gradual process where human character can develop alongside the discovery of nature.

More recently, these beliefs emphasize the mental and emotional well-being of the student, not just their physical or academic well-being. This is especially important for students who have experienced trauma since trauma is not always physical, and its lasting impacts can be devastating to one's mental and emotional well-being.

How Do Students Learn?

cmacadae0023 — 2024-08-15 18:47:04 UTC

Students learn through autonomous discovery, by having the ability to choose how they learn, and are self-motivated to achieve at the highest standard.

Humanistic Teachers

cmacadae0023 — 2024-08-15 18:50:06 UTC

Humanistic teachers may hold educational values that differ from those of the society in which they live, which can create stress. These views focus more on meeting the needs of the students rather than simply trying to fill them up with knowledge. For students who have experienced trauma, these needs may extend beyond the scope of what the teacher is capable of providing. Therefore, the teacher may be able to refer the student to someone who is better able to meet those needs to ensure that each child is fulfilled at school.

What Makes Knowledge Valid?

cmacadae0023 — 2024-08-15 18:55:04 UTC

Humanists believe that the only knowledge that can be valid is that which can be perceived. This means that they do not hold verbal testimonies in high regard; consequently, they prefer to believe in things that they can physically perceive. For students who have experienced trauma, a humanist may be more cognizant of any signs of abuse that a child may be trying to hide.

Focus On The "Here And Now"

cmacadae0023 — 2024-08-15 19:07:59 UTC

While some people may find strength or peace through religion, humanists choose to focus on what they can accomplish in order to achieve tangible results. For helping students who have experienced trauma, this can look like seeking out help for the student so that they can heal from the experiences. Some may choose to do this through prayer and trusting in the deity of a religion, but the humanist does not see results from this.

The Love Of Life

cmacadae0023 — 2024-08-15 19:11:06 UTC

Humanists value all that life has to offer, especially through discovery. Rather than relying on a pre-determined answer to the big questions of life, the humanist cherishes the experimentation and open-ended nature of discovery. This means that no problem will have exactly one solution for everyone, thereby recognizing the individuality of people and their personal needs.

School Is Not The Only Source Of Character Development

cmacadae0023 — 2024-08-15 19:15:11 UTC

Humanism entails a belief that schools are not the only places responsibility for the moral and ethical development of children. Rather, this is a responsibility shared by the school, the home, and the community. For those who have experienced trauma, it is especially important to recognize that no one person can fully help them heal from that trauma. One person is an excellent place to start, but everyone needs a strong support network.

3 Principles Of Humanism In Education

cmacadae0023 — 2024-08-15 19:19:57 UTC

Education should teach skills that are necessary in one's life - ranging from reading and math to critical thinking and problem solving.
Schools should be a place where students learn to believe in themselves and their potential, develop compassion and understanding, and grow respect for both themselves and others.
Education is focused on learning from the past in order to make decisions in the present to improve quality of life.

The Role Of The Humanistic Teacher

cmacadae0023 — 2024-08-15 19:22:39 UTC

Humanistic teachers create an environment where their students are able to learn through discovery and choice. They function as a facilitator of discussion rather than a lecturer. They can also serve as mentors when teaching students how to set realistic, achievable goals for themselves.

To Grade Or Not To Grade

cmacadae0023 — 2024-08-15 19:26:49 UTC

Humanists believe that grading encourages kids to work in order to achieve a certain grade, not to actually learn. Students should instead regularly practice self-assessment and be able to determine areas of improvement and identify growth that they have had. Objective tests have no place in the humanistic classroom because they determine if the student is able to memorize information, not if they actually learned it and are able to apply it.

Students Have Their Own Experiences

cmacadae0023 — 2024-08-15 19:31:42 UTC

All students come to school with their own unique experiences that influence how they learn. For some, these can include traumatic experiences that may impact how they interact with others and the content they are learning. Rather than trying to push these away, the experiences need to be seen as valid, albeit terrible, and can be used as guiding lights for a student's educational journey.

Humanism Is Not Psychotherapy

cmacadae0023 — 2024-08-15 19:34:40 UTC

It is not the responsibility of the teacher to also be a therapist for the student under humanism. Rather, the teacher needs to be able to make informed decisions based on the experiences of their students. The humanist teacher also has resources to be able to lead a struggling student to a person more qualified to assist them.