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Why did naturalistic theories of education favor childrenās activity over excessive formal instruction?
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Students and an instructor in a classroom in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
Naturalistic theories of education favor childrenās activity over excessive formal instruction because they view education as an unfolding process that must align with the child's natural development. Theorists like Jean-Jacques Rousseau and J.H. Pestalozzi argued that because humans conform to nature, the primary role of the educator is to provide optimal conditions for this spontaneous growth rather than imposing artificial constraints.12
This approach prioritizes the following principles:
- Experience over Instruction: Naturalism emphasizes learning through concrete actions and direct experience rather than through words or abstract, prescribed subject matter.12
- Spontaneous Development: By avoiding early, overtaxing formal instruction, children are encouraged to rely on their own resources and physical powers, particularly their senses.12
- Acting and Doing: There is a reduced emphasis on rote knowledge and a greater focus on active engagement with the world, allowing children to learn from necessity rather than the commands of others.12
Ultimately, this perspective seeks to preserve the child's natural state, ensuring they become social, moral, and rational individuals by engaging with the world at a pace appropriate to their development.2