Transform Your Educational Approach: Pedagogy that Shapes Complete Human Beings
- Santiago Toledo Ordoñez
- Dec 23, 2024
- 3 min read
What is Pedagogy and Why is It More than Just Teaching?
Pedagogy is much more than the simple act of teaching. While the common definition states that it is "the art, science, or profession of teaching," it actually encompasses much more. According to the thinker Biesta, pedagogy is not just about teaching in classrooms, but it has a much broader focus: it is the process of becoming human, learning to be part of society in a deeper way.
Beyond Traditional Teaching
Imagine that pedagogy is not limited to just teaching strategies or what happens in schools. Pedagogy is about how we grow as human beings. It means how we respond, reflect, and act in different situations of our daily lives. It is something present in all our relationships and everything we do, even in how we structure the world for children.
The Art of Negotiating Opposites
In simple terms, pedagogy is a process where adults negotiate between opposing principles like proximity versus distance, protection versus freedom, or the present versus the future. This is not something that only happens in schools; it is part of everyday life. For example, when parents decide how to balance keeping their children close or giving them more freedom, they are making a pedagogical negotiation.
Everyday Examples
Have you ever seen a parent use a baby carrier to carry their baby? This simple act has a lot of pedagogical value. It encourages close contact between the adult and the child, but it also gives the adult the freedom to move while keeping their child close. It is an example of how, in daily life, we negotiate between being more involved or giving space, between protecting and letting be.
Pedagogy in Daily Life
Pedagogy does not only happen in schools, but in all aspects of life. Every time we decide how to interact with a child, whether by bringing them closer or giving them more independence, we are applying pedagogical principles. This is also seen in parenting styles, like the "helicopter" approach (when parents are very involved) versus "free-range parenting" (when more freedom is given to the child).
How Pedagogy Shapes the Future of Children
The structures we use in daily life, such as walkers, tricycles, or children's books, are also pedagogical. They help children explore their environment in a safe and gradual way, preparing them for their future.
Pedagogy: A Shared Space for Growth
Pedagogy is not just about teaching; it is a space of relationship, of constant interaction between adults and children. Adults have the responsibility to guide children, but they also have the freedom to choose how they do it. As children grow, they explore more and more, discovering who they are and who they want to become.
Pedagogical Reflection and Action
Understanding pedagogy as a process of growth, reflection, and negotiation can transform your educational approach. Whether you are a teacher, educator, or someone teaching skills to others, understanding these principles can help you truly impact the lives of those who learn from you.
Dare to Transform Your Educational Approach?
Pedagogy, understood in its broadest sense, can revolutionize the way you teach and shape more complete and autonomous human beings. Explore new strategies that not only teach knowledge but also develop people who are capable of facing the world with confidence and autonomy. Join this learning journey and become a true agent of change in education!
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