Jane I was thinking about this and reflecting on my education both in England and in South Africa. I wondered about a role for grandparents in this. I had a traditional liberal education that was grounded (though I did not know it until later in the Viennese version of Bildung.
The principles underlying the Viennese approach to Bildung advocated the idea that education and personal development should be universal rights accessible to all individuals, regardless of social class or background. This aligns with the broader ideals of enlightenment thinking, which emphasise the inherent worth and potential of every individual.
I worry that children don’t get to see the richness of European culture as I worry that it is at the expense of trying to fit all in. My look at other cultures especially Asian started from the bedrock of Western culture. There needs to be a starting point and then you can explore from that base camp before ascending other Everests.
Teaching them some traditional crafts be it how to cook, how to do basic DIY, keeping a journal , using a fountain pen, that is a form of education which can involve all family members and support the school in what it is trying to do but also provide alternatives
If your child is doing Shakespeare showing them the original language and its cadences and flows.
I’d love to see grandparents talk about their experiences of life more in the classroom but also chatting to their grandkids
I gave my grandson a scrapbook from 1969 on the moon landings which was the prize exhibit when he was talking about space in school which I’ve posted about. I’m also introducing him to the joys of writing a letter by hand. He loves it and wants me to be his pen pal
These are the things that can enrich a child and expand their horizons more than just a curriculum
Jane I was thinking about this and reflecting on my education both in England and in South Africa. I wondered about a role for grandparents in this. I had a traditional liberal education that was grounded (though I did not know it until later in the Viennese version of Bildung.
The principles underlying the Viennese approach to Bildung advocated the idea that education and personal development should be universal rights accessible to all individuals, regardless of social class or background. This aligns with the broader ideals of enlightenment thinking, which emphasise the inherent worth and potential of every individual.
I worry that children don’t get to see the richness of European culture as I worry that it is at the expense of trying to fit all in. My look at other cultures especially Asian started from the bedrock of Western culture. There needs to be a starting point and then you can explore from that base camp before ascending other Everests.
Teaching them some traditional crafts be it how to cook, how to do basic DIY, keeping a journal , using a fountain pen, that is a form of education which can involve all family members and support the school in what it is trying to do but also provide alternatives
If your child is doing Shakespeare showing them the original language and its cadences and flows.
I’d love to see grandparents talk about their experiences of life more in the classroom but also chatting to their grandkids
I gave my grandson a scrapbook from 1969 on the moon landings which was the prize exhibit when he was talking about space in school which I’ve posted about. I’m also introducing him to the joys of writing a letter by hand. He loves it and wants me to be his pen pal
These are the things that can enrich a child and expand their horizons more than just a curriculum
Learning in the flow of work and out loud has been impactful to me and continues to resonate.