Beauty awakens the soul to act.
– Dante Alighieri, 1265-1341, Italian poet and writer

In her compelling and supportive article in the Fall issue of Exchange, Ruth Wilson explores the beauty and richness of engaging with “Other Ways of Knowing” for children and adults, including aesthetic, philosophical and ecological ways of knowing. Wilson points to the space, depth and creativity available in exploring these alternatives to the more commonly held ways of knowing – tradition, logic and authority.

“As humans, we have an innate curiosity about ourselves and the world in which we live. Our ways of coming to know this world vary widely. Each way offers unique insights and perspectives. As educators, we would do well to capitalize on the power of diverse forms of knowing and coming to know. The following suggestions may be helpful in promoting young children’s philosophical, ecological, and aesthetic ways of knowing. These same suggestions can be applied to support ways of knowing for adults.”

They suggest choosing:

• poetry over “lessons”
• “slow time” over “clock time”
• active engagement over passive exposure
• spontaneity over staging
• imagination over dictation
• discoveries over demonstrations
• “child talk” over “teacher talk”
• dialogue over questioning
• child initiative over teacher direction
• “we” over “me”

“These exciting ways of knowing go beyond passive learning. They also make important contributions to children’s holistic development, including their spiritual development.”

What space can you create today, for yourself and the people you encounter, by opening up to other ways of knowing?

For more on young children and philosophy, visit the Institute for the Advancement of Philosophy for Children.

Many thanks to Ruth Wilson for sharing this inquiry and article with us in the Fall issue of Exchange.