"Boredom will always remain the greatest enemy of school disciplines. If we remember that children are bored, not only when they don't happen to be interested in the subject or when the teacher doesn't make it interesting, but also when certain working conditions are out of focus with their basic needs, then we can realize what a great contributor to discipline problems boredom really is. Research has shown that boredom is closely related to frustration and that the effect of too much frustration is invariably irritability, withdrawal, rebellious opposition or aggressive rejection of the whole show."
- Fritz Redl - When We Deal With Children
Deep Learning
Learning is a constant, experiential process. However the big question is, “what is being learned?”
If a student is bored, the experience that is being subconsciously imprinted on their neural network is that learning is boring. If they are forced to behave in a heavily restricted way or are required to learn in a way that isn’t natural to them, they are likely to feel afraid and/or frustrated and/or incompetent. In all of these everyday, typical classroom situations our children learn that they do not fit in, perhaps that they are not really good enough, not smart enough and should not expect much from life. Furthermore, they learn to suppress their feelings and thoughts, to shut themselves down into protection mode rather than open themselves up to be their free and natural selves. They learn to suppress their deep awarenesses and longings, and conform to the expectations required by large, impersonal institutions. The real learning is what happens at a deep emotional level.
And what about the school lessons? Typically, ‘successful’ students learn that what works is to memorise, for a short time, the things that are required to reach a desirable number in tests or exams. They learn that it’s just the pass mark that matters to the adults; not who I am, my passions and interests or what I’m really good at.
At Seven Oaks, we are aware that the most effective learning is enjoyable!
Through our Full Engagement learning processes, we are committed to engaging all students as fully as possible in positive learning practices so that they learn as quickly, as deeply, as willingly and as healthily as possible. Rather than applying a standard teaching practice to all students in a class, we explore and use the learning practices that prove to work best for each individual student.
Another, perhaps even more powerful, factor in effective learning is the environment that students experience. Seven Oaks provides a Nurturing Environment. Students are accepted and respected for who they are in their uniqueness. They are supported to explore their interests. They have permission to express their natural selves.