Abstract

VIQUEZ-ZAVALA, Erika. Children’s Role in Classroom Decision-Making Dynamics: Reflections from Paulo Freire’s Pedagogy of Freedom. Educare [online]. 2015, vol.19, n.1, pp.131-146. ISSN 1409-4258.

This paper presents three educational experiences in a preschool classroom as part of an action research project. These experiences are accompanied by three types of knowledge discussed in the Pedagogy of Freedom proposed by Paulo Freire: fully listening, respect for autonomy, and adequate emotional bond. I intend to demonstrate how 3 and 4 year-old children in a pre-kinder class (Interactive I) from a Costa Rican private school can take a leading role in the classroom decision-making process. Methodologically, video is the only technique I used to record the scenes of classroom dynamics and systematize events. As part of the final reflections, I state that preschool children are capable of taking a leading reflective, critical and transformative role that demands respect for their listening, independence and liberation of the self.

Keywords : Action research; reflection; leadership; transformation; autonomy; freedom.

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