Learning Beyond the Four Walls of the Classroom

By Teofila A. Tabelisma Ph.D.

With a decade of teaching experience in different grade levels and three years as school head, I observedthat children cannot develop in an optimum manner unless their physical needs are met. That includes providing them with proper nutrition, clean air and a secure environment. Apart from these needs, the child must be surrounded by adults who are caring and available to help them meet these basic needs.

Children also need a learning environment that will encourage them to explore and experience the world, which is the child’s source of knowledge aside from the classroom. Every child is naturally inquisitive. When the child is curious, he investigates his own little world.

You give him a ball; he squeezes, bounces and smells it. In the process of carefully studying the ball (investigation), he discovers answers to questions about the ball (final product-knowledge). For children, the learning process is more important than the final product. Consider the child’s developmental level. Give them activities and materials that they can handle, thus avoiding frustration and strengthening their self-esteem. Children with high self-esteem can be caring for others because they are not preoccupied with their own perceived inadequacies. Avoid telling them the best way to do things. Let them discover for themselves. While curiosity enhances the cognitive development of children, we should also consider their socio-emotional development manifested through helping, caring and sharing behaviors. All children have the ability to be affected deeply by other people’s emotional state. Adults can teach children the value of helping, caring and sharing. Make your environment as nurturing as possible-like taking care of pets and plants. Assist children in defining their own feelings towards others, positive or negative. Children can’t empathize with the emotions of others until they understand their own. Welcome children’s help and show how much you appreciate it, even the smallest effort. They should help because they want to, not because they expect rewards. Let children know how much you value helping, caring and sharing; and be a good role model to them. The most important role of parents is that of a behavior model. Children tend to mimic what adults do more often than what they say. The ways that you communicate, solve problems, and relate to others – coupled with an enriched learning environment – form a powerful tool for how your children will learn and behave beyond the four walls of the classroom.