Indigenous Approach To Learning Essay

Words: 609
Pages: 3

“The Canadian Council on Learning (2009) reported that an Indigenous approach to learning is lifelong, holistic, experiential, rooted in Indigenous language and culture, spiritually oriented, communal (i.e., including family, elders, and community). Learning often occurs through storytelling, with legends used to transmit social values such as humility, honesty, courage, and respect.” (Mcintosh, Moniz, Craft, Golby & Steinwand, 2014, p. 239, para. 1). Contradicting to Indigenous approach of classroom management, Western approach is to enforce compliance, and it involves pressure on children to be independent and competitive. Whereas, Indigenous approach is to provide children the opportunity to be dependent but at the same time adults role model the appropriate behaviour by explaining to them to learn to value and respect others. They believe that social development is as important as academic achievements and their Elders play a …show more content…
From the very early stage children are raised to take decisions on their own and being independent while taking into consideration everyone wellbeing. No one can deny the positive outcomes of parent’s involvement in their children’s education as, higher marks, attendance, positive behaviours, and graduation rates are all associated with their interest in their children’s lives. The matter of the fact is that this involvement is dependent on how much the parents are comfortable and feel welcomed by their child’s teachers. Moreover, Indigenous parents have deep-rooted mistrust in education system due to the Residential schools; therefore, teachers need to advertently create an atmosphere of communication as well as opportunities for parents to participate in the classroom.Teachers need to attend community events and integrate those concepts in their classroom environment (Mcintosh, Moniz, Craft, Golby & Steinwand, 2014, p. 240, para.