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Is Joy Being Left Behind?
July 12, 2007
Instructions for living a life. Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.
-Mary Oliver
According to Judy Ellis, writing in Education Leadersship ("The Neuroscience of Joyful Education," Summer 2007), "Brain research tells us that when the fun stops, learning often stops too." In the introduction to her article she summarize her views....

"Most children can't wait to start kindergarten and approach the beginning of school with awe and anticipation. Kindergartners and 1st graders often talk passionately about what they learn and do in school. Unfortunately, the current emphasis on standardized testing and rote learning encroaches upon many students' joy. In their zeal to raise test scores, too many policymakers wrongly assume that students who are laughing, interacting in groups, or being creative with art, music, or dance are not doing real academic work. The result is that some teachers feel pressure to preside over more sedate classrooms with students on the same page in the same book, sitting in straight rows, facing straight ahead.

"The truth is that when we scrub joy and comfort from the classroom, we distance our students from effective information processing and long-term memory storage. Instead of taking pleasure from learning, students become bored, anxious, and anything but engaged. They ultimately learn to feel bad about school and lose the joy they once felt.

"My own experience as a neurologist and classroom teacher has shown me the benefits of joy in the classroom. Neuroimaging studies and measurement of brain chemical transmitters reveal that students' comfort levels can influence information transmission and storage in the brain. When students are engaged and motivated and feel minimal stress, information flows freely through the affective filter in the amygdala and they achieve higher levels of cognition, make connections, and experience 'aha' moments. Such learning comes not from quiet classrooms and directed lectures, but from classrooms with an atmosphere of exuberant discovery."



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Comments (9)

Displaying 5 of 9 Comments   [ View all ]
Margaret Smith · July 22, 2007
St. Andrews, Manitoba, Canada


Right on, Judy!
I certainly experienced better learning amongst the children in my classroom when they were engaged in fun ways of learning whatever they had to learn, no matter what field. When we sang or made up fun ways to remember things, they certainly remembered them better than when I had sat them down and told them things. Being involved with their whole bodies in all ways always creates those good paths to memory for all of us, from children all the way to the elderly. Now that I am retired, I go into classrooms and child care centres with my beekeeping equipment and I certainly find that where there is a good cheerful, joy filled atmsophere in the classroom, I get the best, most creative questions. So, keep it up, all those of you who are already filling children's lives with joy!

Bridget Bueche · July 16, 2007
Win-Win Fundraising
Carlsbad, Ca., United States


Teaching joy is a mission of mine. I am a fundraising professional. I give students/families lessons and intelligent products to sell for their fundraising needs. I impart my love for recycling, organics, nutrition, and laughter.
Teachers, parents, and students are all under the pressure of life’s challenges. We all have the ability to be joyful, if that is what we wish to focus on.
Instead of time out, opt-in for laughter. The skill of learning laughter techinques in the classroom, would improve the lifestyles of all for years to come.
Don't leave joy behind.

Denise Cordivano · July 13, 2007
New York, United States


The same can be said for teachers who approach the new school term with anticipation of working with eager children and families, but are overburdened by standards and requirements. They become so stressed that they forget the joy of why they chose this profession. As Director of a preschool, I encourage my teachers to take time to breathe, relax, and listen to the children's laughter. It is easier to be creative and alert when you are having fun!

Patti Bradley · July 13, 2007
YMCA Child Care
Providence, Rhode Island, United States


It is so true that children learn more, and retain what they have learned, when they are actively engaged and enjoying the process. As educators and parents we must strive to find ways to teach skills in ways that children WANT to participate. We can teach math skills, reading, and social skills if the content is interesting to children. Just look at how easy children of all ages are able to operate todays technology. How often do we hear "I don't like to read" However, they never mind reading the instructions on those video games now do they.No one ever has to force them.

Nancy T · July 12, 2007
LAUnified Schools
Chatsworth, La., United States


I am a special ed assistant and this is so true. I see it more and more, the loss of interest even in the most enthusiastic children, even if they have good grades the joy of learning has gone out of them, they feel pressured, stressed and creativity suffers because of fear of not doing their very best or not pleasing the teacher. Teachers still berate children when they do something foolish or silly. The teachers themselves are under so much pressure they have no joy to bring into the classroom. They forget they are children, not statistics. The teachers at my school are fantastic, but I'm seeing more stress on their face lately. In the lounge they eat while reading or grading papers. In Italy teachers are among the highest paid and respected for what they do. Here teachers require higher education than most fields and are paid the least. We as a country are upside down. Nancy



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