Naturalism and its implications in education

Naturalism and its implications in education
Naturalism considers the child as a gift of nature with potentialities for natural growth. The growth process must be natural and real without any interference from outside. The child should get the freedom to interact with nature in his/her own way. Make the child involve in physical activities by stimulating sensory experiences with nature.

Aims of education

1. Self-expression- Allow the child to express their ideas and views freely. The talents of the children have to be directed in right way based on the laws if nature. 
2. Self-preservation- It is the ability to respect and love yourself and then, others. It helps us to find a right direction in life. 
3. Redirection of human instincts- Naturalists believe that each human being is born with instincts and these instincts may develop improperly if they are self-directed by the child. Hence, through education, instincts of the child have to directed properly.
4. Struggle for existence- Children have to train to survive int he society to find a place to live in the environment.
5. Natural education- While educating, the teacher should consider strengths, weakness, instincts, likes and dislikes of the children.
6. Perfect individual- Education aims at developing the child into a happy, useful and mature person. 

Naturalism and curriculum

It recommends flexible curriculum and the subjects like physics, chemistry, and biology should be correlated with nature so that he can acquire natural knowledge.

Naturalism and methods of teaching

1. Learning by doing- It appreciates the direct experience of learning by doing.
2. Play- This approach facilitates interest and effort among students to learn nature.
3. Observation- Teacher allows the child to be with nature and understand the nature.
4. Experimentation- It believes in true knowledge through trials and errors.

Naturalism and discipline

It offends strict discipline. Naturalists believe that child should be allowed to face the natural consequences of his actions and thus, self-discipline would be developed. 

Naturalism and teacher

The teacher has to arrange an environment with materials required for the personal development of the child.