What kind of School do Children need?

At every age abilities mature and are internalized through corresponding experience. Every child wants to develop and learn, but at his own pace. In this process the child is not only active, but also selective, that is, it seeks experiences that correspond to its stage of development. The task of the school consists of making it possible for the child to gain learning experience that suits its stage of development in the respective areas of competence. Not only does the cognitive competence of children vary, but they also have differing needs as to emotional security and social experience. If it is possible to create an optimal balance in each of the three areas, learning experience, emotional security and socialization, between the needs and the individual development of the child and its environment, then the child can develop in the best possible way. © 2012 Verlag Hans Huber, Hogrefe AG, Bern.