Fostering the Power of Imagination
To solve the climate crisis, we have to develop the power of imagination in future generations, argues Peter Sutoris, Environmental Anthropologist at the University of London. To achieve that, he believes that we need to reshape our approach to education around the world, shifting away from rote memorization, limited and standardized curriculum, and standard testing, to an approach that emphasizes imagination and and creativity.
At Seacoast Waldorf School, developing the imagination is a key part of our approach to education, starting in early childhood. Teachers intentionally create space for imaginative play, and children have regular access to outdoor free play as well. Visual and manual arts including handwork and woodworking are a regular part of the curriculum for every student, alongside music and drama.
In our Main Lesson blocks, students create their own text books for subjects, incorporating writing, drawing, maps and diagrams reflecting their understanding of the subjects they are studying.
“The environmental crisis is not a crisis of technology or science, it is a crisis of imagination.”