The pedagogy of tenderness: basic concepts

Let’s investigate the basic concepts of the pedagogy of tenderness and its different modes of application in teaching practice. The good thing is that, with the relevant adaptations, it is also possible to apply this education to adult training processes.

To begin, we ask ourselves some questions: currently, What role do trust and affection play in the act of educating and being educated?? Do the educational methods and school environment take into account the most human and relational part? Next, we will try to give you an answer.

What is the pedagogy of tenderness?

The pedagogy of tenderness highlights the role that the affective and relational aspect plays in the framework of the transmission of knowledge. This idea is supported by evidence collected by different studies. that support the hypothesis that affection acts as a stimulus for cognitive development.

When a child perceives that he or she is moving in a social terrain in which he or she is protected, he or she feels freer to explore and experiment, and therefore, to learn.

We are talking about a pedagogical method that has as basis or foundation the demonstration of trust, connection, mutual interest and affection towards those most little ones. It is the type of pedagogy that a mother exercises on her little child and that also finds its reason for being, fortunately, in many nursery schools.

What are the basic principles of the pedagogy of tenderness?

This pedagogy is based on the following principles and benefits:

Naturalize the demonstration of affections and emotions openly and honestly.He adult as a responsible guide and behavioral model of what we ask of children.Healthy balance between affection and authority in the home and classroom. Establish rules and limits that are respectful, coherent and agreed upon by everyone.Building trust links and mutual interest in others, since establishing emotional ties with others facilitates learning from a place of security and fulfillment.The concept of tenderness, that is, the most sublime demonstration of affection between people. It begins in the family, in contact with parents, siblings and relatives. It must also be present in school and education in general.Benefits of tenderness in education: enhances the development of self-esteem; self-confidence; facilitates the ability to learn to love, forgive, believe, care and, ultimately, promotes effective and emotional relationships with others.

How to teach with tenderness?

Teaching accompanied by tenderness has as its main condition the attitude and actions of the teacher or educator. Children must learn tenderly, not based on techniques or practices that only take into account the rational part, but also integrate the emotional and human part. Adults can transmit tenderness, which they themselves express, in their natural actions with boys and girls.

What happens if we are deprived of tenderness? Tenderness, and everything that accompanies it, is essential in human development, since it constitutes one of the fundamental needs and is a door to tolerance, humility and love in the act of learning. Therefore, it is important to highlight what Pérez (2013) mentioned:

Traditional education: a barrier to tenderness

Education based on authoritarianism has constituted a barrier to a pedagogy based on tenderness. This is because in the process a series of behaviors of domination and oppression are collected, as well as limitations on sentimental, creative expression and freedom.

To achieve a comprehensive and democratic education, it is necessary to ask ourselves: Will the boy or girl feel emotionally oppressed? To what extent do the pedagogical methods, as well as the teachers and the educational institution that assist the children, accompany the learning process from a tender and affectionate perspective? Will we, as adults, be allowing children to express themselves freely on an emotional level?

Teachers as models in affective learning

The child not only learns from his experiences, he also learns from the experiences of others. Observing models is one of the most important sources of learning that persists in childhood.. In fact, it has been shown that children imitate more the most significant people in their lives: their parents, siblings and their educators.

The little ones observe the teacher’s attitude and rely on it to build their own behavior, attitudes, values, beliefs and personality. Thus, if teachers wish to be positive role models for their students, they would do well to first concern themselves with establishing a relationship of respect and trust..

Proposing a simile, in order for cars (knowledge) to access a certain place, it is first necessary to create the necessary access roads to make it possible. Something similar would happen here.

This pedagogy has a positive effect and provides a significant improvement in the cognitive or intelligence levels of those children who experience it.

Three expressions of tenderness

Now, we mention 3 ways to express tenderness, both inside and outside the classroom:

The caresses: According to Eric Berne, human beings need caresses and feeling loved as much as they need to feed, breathe and sleep.The hugs: Holding one’s arms is a form of physical caress, a very special way of touching, which allows the person to accept themselves and feel accepted by others.The touch: is considered a channeler, which is not limited only to physical contact, but also the ability to act appropriately in relation to others. Touch is spontaneous and is derived as behavior from one’s attitude, values ​​and feeling of respect.

In the daily life of the classroom or home, with its sensitivity, with its creativity, interest and responsibility for the child to learn and develop, The adult should not waste the moments or spaces that their work offers them, to stimulate them to feel and express their feelings. and emotions, without forgetting that it is the attitude of tenderness that prevails in learning.

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