Pedagogy: What is it and how can it help your child?

by Joost Nusselder Updated on: April 6, 2023

Pedagogy or parenting is the study of how adults (parents, educators, teachers) raise young people for a specific purpose. More specifically, pedagogy studies teaching methods, including the goals that should be set therein, and the way in which these goals can be achieved. A practitioner of this study is called a pedagogue.

Pedagogy is a science that deals with the upbringing and development of children. It is a broad field that deals with child development and the ways in which children learn. Educators study how children grow up and try to understand how they develop.

In this article I will tell you everything about what pedagogy is and how it has developed.

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The essence of pedagogy

Pedagogy focuses on the upbringing and development of children and young people, with the aim of guiding them towards independent and social adults. This involves looking at both physical and social aspects of development. Pedagogy is a scientific study, where pedagogues are the practitioners engaged in improving education and education.

Here is how you can learn it yourself as a parent for your family

Specializations in pedagogy

There are various specializations within pedagogy, such as:

• Forensic pedagogy: focuses on the upbringing of children in specific situations, such as in youth care or criminal law.
• Pedagogics: focuses on the way in which parents and educators guide and support children in their development.

The role of pedagogy in everyday life

In practice, pedagogy means that attention is paid to the development of children at school, at home and in other social situations. Pedagogues try to understand and improve the effects of upbringing and education on children's development. This applies to all countries and times, and to both specific and general forms of education.

The relationship between pedagogy and other sciences

Pedagogy lies in the field of science between the social sciences and educational sciences. It has common ground with psychology, sociology and philosophy, among others. For example, we look at the influence of the environment and society on the development of children, and the way in which children learn and process information.

Different perspectives on pedagogy

Pedagogy is a broad and multifaceted field, allowing for different perspectives and approaches. For example, some pedagogues focus on the development of children's knowledge and characteristics, while others focus more on the effects of sport and exercise on children's development. This diversity makes pedagogy an interesting and dynamic field.

The Origins of Pedagogy: A Journey to Ancient Greece

The term pedagogy comes from the Greek word 'paidagogos', which literally means 'leader of children'. In ancient Greece, a paidagogos was a slave responsible for guiding and raising his master's children. Although the role of the paidagogos was limited to the practical aspect of parenting, it laid the foundations for the emergence of pedagogy as a scientific discipline that studies the upbringing and development of children.

Greek thinkers and the first ideas about education

The first to develop ideas about education and education were the Greek philosophers. One of the most influential thinkers of that time was the philosopher Plato. In his work 'De Staat' he describes in detail his views on the ideal upbringing and how it contributes to the creation of a just society.

Plato's ideas about education include:

• The importance of a balanced development of body and mind
• The need to instill moral and intellectual values ​​in children from an early age
• The idea that education should be tailored to each child's individual abilities and talents

Pedagogy as a scientific discipline

The origins of pedagogy as a theoretical framework for parenting practice thus lie in ancient Greece. Over the centuries, different thinkers and philosophers have developed their own ideas and theories about education and education, which has shaped pedagogy into the discipline of science we know today.

The study of pedagogy today encompasses a wide variety of topics, such as:

• Children's physical, cognitive, social and emotional development
• The influence of parenting styles and strategies on child development
• The importance of a stimulating and safe learning environment
• The role of education in society and promoting equal opportunities for all children

In contemporary pedagogy, research is constantly being done into new insights and methods to optimize the upbringing and development of children. In this way, pedagogy continues to develop and contributes to creating a better future for our children.

The role of an educator in the development of children and young people

A pedagogue is an expert in the field of education and development of children and young people. They are there to advise parents and schools on how best to deal with children. This can, for example, be about parenting styles, communication with the child and stimulating development.

Observing and analyzing behavior

An important aspect of an educator's job is to observe and analyze children's behavior. They look at how children behave in different situations and try to understand why they behave in a certain way. They take into account the physical and mental environment of the child.

Creating a safe environment

A pedagogue ensures that children can develop in a safe and stimulating environment. This means that they work together with parents and schools to create an environment in which children feel comfortable and can develop optimally.

Intervene in case of problems

When there are problems with the development or behavior of a child, a pedagogue can intervene and provide support. This can be done, for example, by giving advice to parents, drawing up a supervision plan or referring the child to a medical specialist.

Broad basic knowledge and practical skills

A pedagogue has a broad basic knowledge and practical skills. They are aware of the latest developments in the field of education and development and apply this knowledge in their work. In addition, they are able to communicate effectively with children, parents and other professionals.

Different functions and fields of work

Pedagogues work in different functions and fields. For example, they can work as a family coach, education advisor, remedial educationalist or youth worker. Depending on the position and the company they work for, the duties of an educator can vary.

Conclusion

Pedagogy is the science that focuses on the upbringing and development of children. It is a broadly versatile field in which different perspectives and approaches are possible.

I hope you now know what pedagogy is and how you can use it to help your children develop.

Joost Nusselder, the founder of Speelkeuze.nl is a content marketer, father and loves trying out new toys. As a child he came into contact with everything related to games when his mother started the Tinnen Soldaat in Ede. Now he and his team create helpful blog articles to help loyal readers with fun play ideas.