Great expectations
Modern schools crush children's talents, Sir Ken Robinson says, a British scientist. Professor Cenoura has conducted his own research and proved, that capoeira helps to develop a child's natural creativity skills without impeding general education.
Sir Ken Robinson is a British professor, and author of different studies on the modern educational system and development of creative thinking. He is a famous critic of modern schools, claiming that schools crush children's natural talents and creative abilities.
"Our education system has mined our minds in the way that we strip-mine the Earth", — states Robinson firmly in one of his speeches on the annual TED-conference.
Sir Ken Robinson
Where exactly does the problem lie? School systems appeared almost 300 hundred years ago during the industrial revolution. At that time, the introduction of mass education helped society progress rapidly and it became a great step forward.
However, this system has become outdated. Schools still use the old system. Students are taught within standardized frameworks and their abilities are graded without consideration of their personal needs and demands. Standardized grading system is another problem that Robinson addresses.
However, this system has become outdated. Schools still use the old system. Students are taught within standardized frameworks and their abilities are graded without consideration of their personal needs and demands. Standardized grading system is another problem that Robinson addresses.
He suggests that every person possesses his own talent, which distinguishes him from other people, whether it is love for singing, dancing or drawing. Many children dream of becoming astronauts, artists, or singers. As they grow up, however, they tend to change their minds in favor of 'normal' jobs imposed by society standards.
Children in standardized school systems are taught to work individually. Teachers punish them for copying, or making mistakes, or failing to do their homework. However, in the adult world, copying is called teamwork, adults learn from their mistakes, and usually allow themselves a few free evenings during the week.
Showing reasonable criticism, Robinson, though, doesn't give any solution to the problems.
Children in standardized school systems are taught to work individually. Teachers punish them for copying, or making mistakes, or failing to do their homework. However, in the adult world, copying is called teamwork, adults learn from their mistakes, and usually allow themselves a few free evenings during the week.
Showing reasonable criticism, Robinson, though, doesn't give any solution to the problems.
Harel Kidron
Professor Cenoura
Harel Kidron, who is well known in the capoeira community as Professor Cenoura, has examined Sir Ken's works through the framework of his own university dissertation and proved that capoeira can become a perfect solution for development of children's natural talents, without interfering with basic school education.
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Cenoura suggests two approaches, creativity and teaching. The first approach focuses on natural capoeira creativity, which includes many art forms — fighting, dancing, singing, acrobatics, and music. Children who start training from a very young age learn all these aspects, and as they grow identify the most preferable and interesting means to express themselves. For one it can be music, for another — acrobatics. Thus, from childhood they develop creative thinking and when they become mature, use it to create their unique style based on one of the capoeira aspects.
There are many examples of successful athletes who started their careers in capoeira. The well-known Ido Portal became a movement teacher, giving classes on the development of people's natural physical movements. Capoeiristas, who gravitated to the stronger and more powerful aspect of the capoeira game, became MMA fighters. Finally, there are those like Professor Simba and Contra Mestre Maculele, who found beauty through dancing and acrobatics. As Mestre Edan says: "A good capoeirista finds something, which is close to him, and becomes the best in this field, eventually becoming good in all other fields of capoeira".
There are many examples of successful athletes who started their careers in capoeira. The well-known Ido Portal became a movement teacher, giving classes on the development of people's natural physical movements. Capoeiristas, who gravitated to the stronger and more powerful aspect of the capoeira game, became MMA fighters. Finally, there are those like Professor Simba and Contra Mestre Maculele, who found beauty through dancing and acrobatics. As Mestre Edan says: "A good capoeirista finds something, which is close to him, and becomes the best in this field, eventually becoming good in all other fields of capoeira".
From the ages of 3 to 6, children develop the natural physical abilities such as jumping, running, catching, crawling, and climbing, through using different tools — hula hoops, ropes or balls. At this age capoeira movements are taught in a game form.
From the ages of 7 to 12 teachers focus on the individual development of a student as well as their work in pairs. At this stage students train their power, speed, and stamina.
From the ages 13 to 18 young capoeiristas learn technique and strategic thinking in capoeira as well as the capoeira game played in the roda. During this period students push their physical abilities to the limits. By this time students have also attained a good musical and acrobatic base, which helps them to be creative and develop their individual style.
From the ages of 7 to 12 teachers focus on the individual development of a student as well as their work in pairs. At this stage students train their power, speed, and stamina.
From the ages 13 to 18 young capoeiristas learn technique and strategic thinking in capoeira as well as the capoeira game played in the roda. During this period students push their physical abilities to the limits. By this time students have also attained a good musical and acrobatic base, which helps them to be creative and develop their individual style.
Music is one of the biggest sources for developing creativity. In capoeira this includes singing, playing the instruments, learning the rhythms, moving to the rhythm, and learning capoeira's native language, Portuguese. Music itself can expand a child's creative talents. Moreover, it doesn't become an obstacle for school education, because at these young ages, it is not demanding or time-consuming.
Cenoura's second approach is the art of teaching, which can also be divided into two parts — traditional and methodological.
The traditional approach brings us back to old times, when teaching meant following your tutor. The lack of a system and methodology meant that students learned while imitating the movements of their teachers. During this mirroring no imitation was precise enough, therefore students had to use their creativity, resulting in new, original styles of movement. Though this method is still used by old masters, modern teachers prefer to turn to methodology.
Systematic teaching methods are widely used in Israel and most of them are based on Dr Mark Wertheimer's studies, who claims that each child should be treated so that he could develop his creativity and individual abilities, allowing him to think outside the box in unexpected situations.
Based on Dr Wertheim's works, Mestre Edan has introduced two basic principles of teaching. The first is determination. A child should be taught due to his individual motivation and natural desires. The second is individuality. Each child has his own unique abilities and are different to their core; therefore the same grading system can't be applied to all children.
Capoeira fits both of these principles. There are no competitions or standardized grading systems in capoeira, and as such, each student is able to judge their progress by themselves and set their own goals according to their own abilities and wishes.
The traditional approach brings us back to old times, when teaching meant following your tutor. The lack of a system and methodology meant that students learned while imitating the movements of their teachers. During this mirroring no imitation was precise enough, therefore students had to use their creativity, resulting in new, original styles of movement. Though this method is still used by old masters, modern teachers prefer to turn to methodology.
Systematic teaching methods are widely used in Israel and most of them are based on Dr Mark Wertheimer's studies, who claims that each child should be treated so that he could develop his creativity and individual abilities, allowing him to think outside the box in unexpected situations.
Based on Dr Wertheim's works, Mestre Edan has introduced two basic principles of teaching. The first is determination. A child should be taught due to his individual motivation and natural desires. The second is individuality. Each child has his own unique abilities and are different to their core; therefore the same grading system can't be applied to all children.
Capoeira fits both of these principles. There are no competitions or standardized grading systems in capoeira, and as such, each student is able to judge their progress by themselves and set their own goals according to their own abilities and wishes.
By Elina Khakimova
Credits: Tatyana Ermolaeva; Wikipedia
Credits: Tatyana Ermolaeva; Wikipedia
