Berliner, Wendy. “Schools Are Killing Curiosity”: Why We Need to Stop Telling Children to Shut up and Learn.” The Guardian, The Guardian, 28 Jan. 2020, www.theguardian.com/education/2020/jan/28/schools-killing-curiosity-learn
The article by Wendy Berliner, discusses how children’s natural curiosity often fades when they start school. It describes a classroom where a teacher focuses on a planned lesson, ignoring the kids’ excitement about a thunderstorm outside. Research from the University of Michigan shows that curious children tend to do better in school, especially those from less advantaged backgrounds. Before starting school, kids ask an average of 107 questions an hour, but this drops significantly once they begin formal education. Many teachers unintentionally discourage questions because they concentrate on tests and meeting strict goals. The article argues that promoting curiosity is important for effective learning and can help close the achievement gap. Examples like Ilminster Avenue Nursery School show how allowing kids to play and explore can improve their learning. The authors suggest that schools should prioritize fostering curiosity to support academic success.
Wendy Berliner’s article emphasizes the crucial role of curiosity in children’s education, targeting educators, parents, and policymakers. With an informative and critical tone, she uses both research and anecdotes to show how traditional teaching methods often harm students’ natural questioning. Berliner cites studies, such as those from the University of Michigan, showing that curious children perform better academically, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. She appeals to ethos by referencing credible experts, pathos by showing concern for children’s lost curiosity, and logos by logically structuring her argument. While acknowledging that some teachers encourage curiosity, she stresses that such efforts are often rare rather than general. Ultimately, she advocates for a shift in educational priorities to create environments where curiosity can flourish, urging a re-evaluation of current teaching practices.
Notable qoutes:
“When do children get to ask questions about things that interest them? As soon as they are at primary school they have to shut up and learn.” – Berliner
“Children are born curious. The number of questions a toddler can ask can seem infinite.” – Berliner
