Principals of self expression

Smriti Rekha Saikia, Dimpee Borah, Sujata Katapall

From a teacher’s perspective, the principle of self-expression is vital for fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment. Encouraging students to express themselves enhances their confidence, creativity, and critical thinking skills. It allows them to connect personal experiences to academic content, making learning more meaningful. Moreover, self-expression promotes diversity of thought, helping students appreciate different perspectives and cultures. Teachers can facilitate this by incorporating various forms of expression—such as writing, art, discussion, and performance—into the curriculum. Ultimately, valuing self-expression empowers students to find their voices and develop a sense of identity, crucial for their personal and academic growth. Some key points are discussed below : 1. Encouraging different interests: Teachers can encourage students to explore different interests and avenues of self – expression, such as art, music, drama, or creative writing. 2. Providing choices: Teachers can provide choices and options for students to showcase their creativity and individuality. 3. Listening and understanding: Teachers can replace judgement with openness in listening and understanding where students are coming from. 4. Encouraging decision making: Teachers can encourage students to make decisions and positively channel their self – expression. 5. Providing open – ended materials: Children can explore and manipulate materials in different ways, which helps them develop their skills and express themselves.

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