“Emotion in Education!” - INSIGHT #10

 PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

“Emotion in Education!”

INSIGHT #10

For the last several days, though Prachana was focussed on assimilating the wisdom she is acquiring through the books Sarvaa suggested, she had a doubt in her mind. When we spoke about Values, Knowledge, and Procedure, why did we leave out the important aspect of ‘emotions’? She was in a dilemma whether to ask that to Sarvaa or not. Then she remembered a conversation she had with Sarvaa once. 

Sarvaa had told, “Like every problem has a solution, every question deserves an answer.” Only when she decided to ask that question to Sarvaa, she could sleep well. 

As usual, Prachana woke up exactly at 3 am hoping to see Sarvaa waiting. But Sarvaa was not there. She waited for some time but Sarvaa didn’t come. She felt very sad and went back to sleep sobbing. But she couldn’t sleep. She could hear her wall clock ticking away. Her eyes were getting moist.

Suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder trying to turn her to the other side. There he was!

Sarvaa in all his glory. The happy Prachana jumped up and hugged Sarvaa. Sarvaa slowly sat beside her.

Sarvaa said with a smile “Your doubt is valid. I should have been clearer when I told you about the breadth of knowledge and understanding.” Prachana couldn’t understand. She looked at him quizzically but with a smile on her face feeling ashamed of herself for crying.

Sarvaa said “My Child, it is not wrong to feel ashamed for exhibiting your emotions. Let us come to the point. You thought the element of emotion is ignored when we spoke about the Values, Knowledge, and Procedure.”

Prachana sat comfortably on the bed and said “Yes, Sarvaa. Exactly! You got it right.” Then she giggled. Sarvaa also laughed.

“But you are wrong.” Said Sarvaa. Prachana, as expected, got confused.

“We spoke about the need for understanding the knowledge. And that is where you missed the point. But it is okay. Many children don’t get that unless explicitly told.” Sarvaa stood up and started walking up and down talking. Sarvaa was thinking about how to start. Prachana’s eyes followed him.

“Let’s say, you are reading a horror story, which I know you don’t like much because you feel scared.” He laughed teasing her. Seeing Prachana’s expression of made-up anger, Sarvaa got back to his talk as though he got terrified of her look. But he was laughing inside.

Sarvaa continued “Tell me, do you first read and understand the story and then take a lunch break and then feel afraid thinking what you read?” 

“Noooooo… how can that be? Of course, I feel scared when I read. Not later. That is ridiculous!” She said with an expression as though saying ‘that is common sense’.

Sarvaa now asked holding a book with a cover of a colourful picture of a Joker “Then what about the ‘Book of 1000 Jokes’? Do you read the jokes first and then laugh when you talk to Mamma?”

Prachana understood that Sarvaa is pulling her leg. She said “Sarvaa, enough! I understood what you are trying to tell. You are saying that emotion is a part and parcel of knowledge and understanding that.”

Sarvaa said “See! You know everything. But let me put it technically. There is always a cognitive aspect to emotions and an emotive aspect to cognitions.” Prachana found it hard to assimilate immediately but she knew she would get it technically also as she understood the idea behind it.

Sarvaa continued “Development of feeling is part and parcel of the development of knowledge and understanding.” Prachana felt a little more clear about the concept of emotion in education.

Prachana now nodded happily and felt relaxed. When the room went dark and Sarvaa vanished she could see the Joker’s picture on her table. At first, she thought she was imagining the book lying on her table. But it was there.

A happy Prachana peacefully slept the rest of the night.

End of Insight #10

 

Reference : R S Peter’s Analysis of ‘Education’

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