Which would you say, all things considered, works best: fearful anticipation, relaxation, or enthusiasm? Most of us would likely rank them such that enthusiasm would be most productive, relaxation would place second, and anticipation would fare worst.
Well, psychologists performed a recent study to see if that hypothesis held true. They went into schools, where children had to perform a task. The control group was allowed to worry and fret about the results. They guided another group in meditation to relax them. And a third group was primed with all the exciting possibilities of what they might do.
Sure enough, the science backed common sense. The enthusiastic group accomplished the most. The relaxed group did the next best, and the group full of anticipation fared quite poorly.
We think the results speak for themselves. Traditional schools use fear to motivate children, and sure enough, children don’t give their all. But here in the world of Sudbury education, children are allowed to find what excites them and pursue it to their utmost. No wonder they do and learn so much. Enthusiasm works best.
Sean Vivier
MLSS Staff
Well, psychologists performed a recent study to see if that hypothesis held true. They went into schools, where children had to perform a task. The control group was allowed to worry and fret about the results. They guided another group in meditation to relax them. And a third group was primed with all the exciting possibilities of what they might do.
Sure enough, the science backed common sense. The enthusiastic group accomplished the most. The relaxed group did the next best, and the group full of anticipation fared quite poorly.
We think the results speak for themselves. Traditional schools use fear to motivate children, and sure enough, children don’t give their all. But here in the world of Sudbury education, children are allowed to find what excites them and pursue it to their utmost. No wonder they do and learn so much. Enthusiasm works best.
Sean Vivier
MLSS Staff
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