Meeting Potential

Every child has certain needs that must be met before learning can happen. Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs states as much. Before children can learn, they must have food in their bellies, they must feel cared for, and they must feel safe. These needs are essential; they are vital to living much less learning. Once these prerequisites are met, there is potential for learning to occur.

I say potential because there is more to teaching than simply presenting the information you want the child to know. For a child to successfully learn, they should not only be ready to hear the information, but they must be given motivation to learn it. Motivation relates to relevance as well as the probability of success. If a child sees no use in knowing the material, they will not care to learn it. If they do not see themselves being successful at learning the material, they will not care to learn it.

Once the child is motivated and begins the road to learning, it is important for them to know that much is expected of them. If they are in an environment where it does not matter what they do or how much effort they put in, they will most likely do the minimum. Perhaps some learning will happen, but they will not meet their capacity. They will not be learning as “best” as they can.

As a teacher, this means it is my responsibility to create conditions that are conducive to learning. I imagine that the learning process is much like the growth process of a flower or plant. There are very specific conditions that must be met in order for the plant to thrive. It begins with a seed, which is the child before it is exposed to anything. Then, the seed is placed in nutrient rich soil so that it can be in a position to grow; here it is kept safe and is nurtured. Much like the child’s essential needs must be met so that he or she can be in a position to learn. Then the seed requires water to nurture it and give it what it needs to grow. This is like presenting the child with information and the opportunity to grow in knowledge. Then, the sun is a necessary part in the life of a plant. The sun is what makes photosynthesis happen; giving direction to the plant and giving the plant purpose. The sun, in the life of a plant, is what the teacher is in the life of a student. The teacher is what creates a purpose and direction for her students. She gives the motivation that is necessary for learning.

“You reap what you sow” If the teacher puts in little effort, she will reap a little harvest; the student will learn the bare minimum. However, if she puts in great effort and expects much of her students, she will reap a great harvest. The student will not only grow, but he or she will flourish and will learn as best as they can. This entails the conditions that must be met for learning to happen.

Maslow's Pyramid image found at: http://deptorg.knox.edu/engdept/commonroom/Volume_Eleven/number_two/Wedel/maslow.gif