OS to engage the whole child?

[Michael Pannwitz]

Dear Valerie,

yes, just 10 days ago we facilitated a prep meeting for an open space at a
primary school in our neighbor district which will involve about 150 4th and
5th graders, their teachers, parents and others involved in the school and
other services for children in the area. We were first approached by MA
students setting up a branch of the association "Bildung ohne Grenzen -
short bildog" (meaning education without borders) in Berlin. They were
scouting for a school in one of Berlins troubled so called "hot spot"
neighborhoods in order to work with the school kids age 9 to 12 (and
involving the whole system) on the question what they need & which services
are needed. The os will likely take place shortly after the WOSONOS in
Berlin. I believe space for true participation by children can be helpful.
There is one best practice approach being used in some Kindergardens here
called "Kinderwelten" (meaning childrens worlds) which facilitates
differentiation and integration through surfacing the different realities
that kids (and their families) carry with them. Reflecting their own
realities and getting to know themselves and others better through learning
about the other kids realities. However even though childrens participation
is strongly recommended in Germany - it is still practiced just emerging. We
usually tend to look at the northern countries which seem to be much more
advanced - e.g. Sweden.
Here a national debate on childrens rights just started kicked of by still
growing scandals of abuse in churches and schools. In Germany the childrens
rights to grow up without abuse and free of violence were only passed in the
years 1998 and 2000. Still not a reality here and in most countries. And
once traumatized it is more difficult to involve the whole child. Looking at
possible nurturing givens i still find the UN Convention on Childrens Rights
and UNICEFs website helpful.

PS: Is anyone out there with experience in participatory planning and
planting of outdoor gardens with kindergarden children age 3 to 6??

Looking forward to more reflection on this topic,

Michael

On Mon, Apr 26, 2010 at 6:07 PM, Harrison Owen <hhowen at verizon.net> wrote:

> Valerie -- I think what you propose is totally possible, if for no other
> reason than that Children, when last I checked, are human beings too.
> Surprise! And as a matter of fact a number of people over the years have
> been doing what you talk about and I would be sure that they will show up
> soon to share their wisdom and experience. I think particularly of John
> Engle in Haiti and Chris ? from North Carolina. Haven't seen Chris online
> here for a bit, but maybe this will drag him out of his cave. And since I
> can't remember his last name (happens to those of us with passing years), I
> don't know which cave to go to. Maybe somebody else does? So Go for it!
> Opening space of kids is sheer delight, and the learning that takes place
> is
> awesome.
>
> Harrison
>
> Harrison Owen
> 7808 River Falls Dr.
> Potomac, MD 20854
> USA
> Phone 301-365-2093
> www.openspaceworld.com
> www.ho-image.com (Personal Website)
> To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of
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> -----Original Message-----
> From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of Valerie
> Schmitz
> Sent: Sunday, April 25, 2010 10:20 PM
> To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
> Subject: OS to engage the whole child?
>
> Thinking today about a K-12 learning environment (both face to face and
> some online) and the work we continually repeat which seems to preclude
> any real innovation for those we serve. Is it possible to create and
> sustain a permanent learning environment for children and young adults
> based on the OS/AOH - a clear and bright way of action that engages the
> whole child? I thank you for any thoughts.
>
> Valerie
>
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-- 
Michael Pannwitz, boscop eg
++49(0)162 - 90 88 266

michael.pannwitz at boscop.org

www.boscop.org

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