#Seed013: Bringing Wonder Back to Life
#Seed013: Bringing Wonder Back to Life
Why the modern classroom kills wonder and how we can bring it back
The right defence against false sentiments is to inculcate just sentiments. By starving the sensibility of our pupils we only make them easier prey to the propagandist when he comes. - C.S. Lewis, The Abolition of Man
Why do children lose their sense of wonder as the grow older? This is a question I’ve been wrestling with as a father of two. I don’t think my children have lost their sense of wonder just yet, but having worked with youth and young adults, I know that there is a general trend towards a disinterest in the world. No one is immune to boredom, and the dullness of the mundane. But I believe that a meaningful engagement with our world, through the flora and fauna, will reignite the inner sparks of wonder not only within our children but within ourselves.
Mistaking the Branches for the Tree
When I first came across John Henry Newman’s The Idea of the University, I was struck at the extent which our view of education is disconnected from traditional worldviews. In our curriculum, we speak of branches of knowledge but we overlook the tree. Newman writes, “I have said that all branches of knowledge are connected together, because the subject-matter of knowledge is intimately united in itself, as being the acts and the work of the Creator.” At some point, I believe, our modern education disconnected the branches of knowledge in the spirit of bureaucratic efficiency and this has led to not only compound ignorance but a disinterest in the world. It has replaced the sense of wonder with efficiency. We equate knowing the name of something with knowing the thing itself. Intellectually, this is useful, but our senses have the ability to perceive each thing as it is. No two pebble are the same.
Traditional education integrated the branches of knowledge into its curriculum. Aristotle categorized knowledge into three main branches: techne (knowledge of craft), episteme (scientific knowledge), and phronesis (ethical knowledge). Those expand into more specific branches such as carpentry or navigation (in the case of crafts), biology or history (in the case of scientific knowledge) and politics (in the case of ethics). The role of education was not simply to learn and memorize one of those branches but rather to deepen our awareness on how they are all united. The classroom disconnects us from the world. We’ve all been there: wondering how particular information can be applied in our lives. This alienation of knowledge suffocates our sense of wonder. The goal of the educator is to not only maintain the embers of wonder in pupils but to fan its flames.
Breaking the Walls of the Classroom
I have learned that to fan the flames of wonder, we need to break the walls of the classroom. As parents and community-builders, it’s important to start with a self-assessment on how we apply our knowledge. For example, I’ll often take my children to a public garden or forest and ask them to look for the birds. Once they catch sight of a robin or a crow, I will ask them questions about it. Why are they here? Where are they going? What are they looking for? Continuing our exploration, we’ll start to understand certain weather patterns, soil structures, plants, and trees. In the fall, as the Canada Geese begin their annual southern migration, we will watch them fly over us and we will begin looking at maps. From there, we may start exploring different climates. “Why is it warmer in the south than it is here up north,” I may ask. We may take a globe and start looking at our planet. Which opens the doors to an exploration of our skies. The possibilities and pathways are endless.
What we are doing here is inculcating just sentiments, as C.S. Lewis describes. He is absolutely correct when he says that without just sentiments, we are prey to the propogandist. Some years ago, I saw this image below and it struck me: we have been preyed on. For most of us, brand names are more familiar. But note that we’ve actually never sat down, opened up a book, and memorized these brands. But for some reason, we just know their names? For some, these brands may even instill a feeling.
The irony is that there aren’t any brand name textbooks. We know their names because of an active and persistent effort to inculcate false sentiments towards brand names: feelings of comfort, simplicity, empowerment, connection, community, and love. I’d go as far as to say that the propogandist has manipulated our sense of wonder by stimulating our imagination at the latest innovation, the latest technology, or the latest release. Unfortunately, classrooms “starve the sensibility” of pupils.
Reviving Wonder
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Luckily, “feeding” the sensibility of children only requires the right intentions. As a parent, I’ve had countless conversations with my friends and community on ways to instill wonder, curiousity and interest amongst youth. These are some high level insights to help revive that wonder that I think can help any community-builder, educator, youth worker, parent, and even uncle and aunty.
Incorporate nature into education: Encourage outdoor learning experiences, such as nature walks, observing wildlife, and exploring different ecosystems..
Nurture curiosity: Encourage children to ask questions, explore new ideas, and engage in open-ended discussions. Model curiosity by asking questions and sharing your own sense of wonder.
Develop just sentiments: Help children develop a sense of appreciation and respect for the natural world, as well as an understanding of the interconnectedness of all things.
Encourage experiential learning: Provide opportunities for children to learn through experiences, such as visiting museums, participating in cultural events, or exploring new environments.
Be a model: Cultivate wonder in your life and don’t get bogged down by the repetitiveness of your career. Ask questions and commit to being a life-long learner.
We are taught that wonder is the first step of the spiritual path. It not only brings colour to our world but deepens our love for it and our desire to care for it.
Drawing Inspiration
Every week, I share books, podcasts, films, and other resources that will support your journey as a community facilitator and builder.
Books
I recently started to read a lovely book called Culture and Horticulture: A Philosophy of Gardening by Wolf D. Stoerl. It is a beautiful introduction to the history and spirituality of gardening. Not only does the book offer practical advice to the gardener but also explores way to embody the spirit of the gardener in ways beyond our imagination.