Write down any five characteristics of Perennialism?

What is perennialism theory of education?

Perennialism philosophy is a particular philosophy of education, derived from ancient Greek philosophies such as idealism and realism. One of the important beliefs of perennialism philosophy is that we must teach the knowledge that has endured the trials of time. Educational goals remain the same for a long time. There are following characteristics of perennialism: 

Perennialism in education is not a contradiction to educational theory. Perennialism is as good or better than any other type of educational theory. It reflects a greater understanding of the human condition than any other. There are good Perennialists, and there are bad Perennialists. This is a common area for debate. For example, some believe that there are only five major types of Perennialist, but most believe there are more.

Characteristics of Perennialism 

1. Promote Decision Making

Perennialism in education promotes independent learning, and encourages students to engage in constructive, problem-solving play. Perennialism is the best style of teaching in which to learn because of the balance of developmentally appropriate play with a supportive classroom-management approach. Perennialism teaches students to become individuals by encouraging students to strive for their unique identity, and it teaches them to become a part of the bigger global family by promoting democratic decision-making, and by encouraging social responsive fiancée. Most people think of school as an institutionalization of the human condition, but school in Perennialist teaching is a means of experiencing a world of wisdom and companionship and sharing with others.

2.  Progressive Knowledge 

  Perennialism in education allows for the progressive education of children, where students can move to higher levels of knowledge and understanding of a topic after being exposed to it at lower levels of knowledge and understanding. For example, students would know what the decimal system is at the time that they learn the numbers 1-12, but they would not need to know the names of the 12 months, but could then learn the names of those months, and after learning the months would be able to begin to learn the years. This is something that is difficult to understand for people that are used to the typical academic program that children learn in American schools, because they are not exposed to anything in between.

3. Common sense Approach 

Perennialism in education presents an appreciation for the everyday, common-sense approach to learning that students are exposed to when they participate in Perennialism. There are a lot of great ideas in The Purpose-Driven Life, but not everything can be taught in The Purpose-Driven Life. Some of these things that can’t be taught in The Purpose-Driven Life are things like “What’s the meaning of life?” or “What is love?” The purpose-driven life offers people an opportunity to have their daily living circumstances teach them these lessons, and then practice those lessons in a joyful and productive manner, not in a fearful and dysfunctional manner. It is in this way that each individual can learn from those around them, and others can learn from them as well.

4. Caring and Compassionate 

Perennialism in education, does not ignore poverty, world hunger, the elderly, or minorities. Perennialism does not necessarily ignore these concerns, but it does teach students to be caring and compassionate to those that are not in the majority. Perennialism is a philosophy that is similar to ethnic awareness or “black pride” in that it is a philosophy that emphasizes that everyone should be included in “the human race.”

5. Respect Humanity 

Perennialism in education respects the human body. Perennialism teaches students to value their human bodies Students are expected to treat their bodies with respect because they are entrusted with something that is of great value to them and the rest of humanity.

Perennialism in education is the most ecologically and humanistically responsible type of education out there. Perennialism in education advocates a variety of lifestyles, and seeks to be a voice for those that are not part of the mainstream of human life in our society. Perennialism teaches that an unbridled market system has caused an ecological and moral crisis in our society. Perennialism teaches students to be compassionate towards the poor and not to exploit them by making them a slave to wealth and material goods. Perennialism in education is the type of education that has developed in tandem with the lack of concern about the conditions of human and nonhuman life in our society.

6. Teaching Life Skills

 Perennialism in education focuses on teaching life skills. It teaches students that they have the ability to create an existence for themselves that would be difficult to maintain without the skills and practices of the perennial mindset.

7. Personal passions and desires 

Perennialism in education helps students to develop and utilize creative solutions to the problems they are confronted with in their lives. Perennialism teaches students that they should pursue their personal passions and desires and not suppress them for the sake of conformity to the mainstream. Perennialism teaches students that they should pursue their individual passions and not allow those passions and desires to be subjugated for the sake of a group or some other organizational goals.