As earlier observed, there has been a misconception of equating education to schooling. This is why some people tend to wonder whether traditional education really exists. Facts and figures have shown that traditional education has been in existence in Nigeria from the beginning of life in this part of the world.
The methods of teaching in this education system include indoctrination, modeling, initiation ceremonies, reward and punishment, imitation, role play, oral literature, poetry, instruction, observation, intention, participation, apprenticeship. Emphasis is laid on practical knowledge, skills and character.
Some scholars of traditional education believe that education starts at conception. Hence, the expectant mother is expected to ensure a desirable future for the child. But others such as Fafunwa (1974) uphold that the education of the child starts at birth. This author is more inclined to uphold the former view because in the traditional setting, the pregnant woman is made to observe some taboos aimed at building the required type of child. For instance, she abstains from eating certain food, fruits and even animals that are adjudged to have negative character or behaviors. In Etche land in Rivers State, for instance, an expectant mother is forbidden from eating tortoise so that the child would not develop crafty character. Also, the series of myrrh which the expectant mother robs on her abdomen and the concoctions she drinks are meant to shape the child to a desirable size and health. It is, therefore, believed that the health of the mother will influence that of the child.
Naming ceremonies are done on the seventh, eighth or even ninth day after birth, as the case may be. It is aimed at welcoming the child by the family and relations. As the child grows he learns to sit, crawl, walk, talk. He is also reprimanded for any anti-social act performed and rewarded for good
ones. As soon as the child is able to eat solid food, he is weaned.
This covers the ages six to twelve. At this age, the child moves out for the discovery of the world around him beyond his mother and immediate family. He has also mastered his mother tongue which for effective communication, learning at this stage is mainly through play, imitation, observation and participation.
During play, the child imitates the type of job, character or what he sees his parents do. While acting during play, any passer-by owes it a duty to correct him if, and when he gets into difficulties or is doing the wrong thing. At this stage the boys imitate and take to the roles of fathers, the girls take to those of their mothers. It also a period of learning about things around their environment: names of trees, animals, fish, objects, insects and so on.
The boy on his part works under close supervision of his father or elderly brothers or relations, to become a future husband and father. The unfortunate scenario in Nigeria today is a situation where more girls than boys are educated in South East region while more boys than girls are educated in
Northern and Southern Nigeria (Maisamari, 2006).
Education in the traditional society is a continuous and endless one. Accordingly, the adult receives his education from both the parents and or
parent-in-laws or any elder in the community. He also learns from the happenings within and outside his environment.
The methods of teaching in this education system include indoctrination, modeling, initiation ceremonies, reward and punishment, imitation, role play, oral literature, poetry, instruction, observation, intention, participation, apprenticeship. Emphasis is laid on practical knowledge, skills and character.
Exercise 5:
Suggest more methods parents use in teaching their children at home.Stages of Education Development
Some scholars of traditional education believe that education starts at conception. Hence, the expectant mother is expected to ensure a desirable future for the child. But others such as Fafunwa (1974) uphold that the education of the child starts at birth. This author is more inclined to uphold the former view because in the traditional setting, the pregnant woman is made to observe some taboos aimed at building the required type of child. For instance, she abstains from eating certain food, fruits and even animals that are adjudged to have negative character or behaviors. In Etche land in Rivers State, for instance, an expectant mother is forbidden from eating tortoise so that the child would not develop crafty character. Also, the series of myrrh which the expectant mother robs on her abdomen and the concoctions she drinks are meant to shape the child to a desirable size and health. It is, therefore, believed that the health of the mother will influence that of the child.
Infancy
This covers the first five years of the child. The mother and father as well as the immediate members of the family are the first group of teachers at this level. Later the peer group influence follows. The education at this stage centres on the personal needs of the child such as food, body care, evacuation, sleep etc. This is usually done by petting, rocking, singing and reassuring appellation to soothe and communicate pleasure.Naming ceremonies are done on the seventh, eighth or even ninth day after birth, as the case may be. It is aimed at welcoming the child by the family and relations. As the child grows he learns to sit, crawl, walk, talk. He is also reprimanded for any anti-social act performed and rewarded for good
ones. As soon as the child is able to eat solid food, he is weaned.
Childhood
This covers the ages six to twelve. At this age, the child moves out for the discovery of the world around him beyond his mother and immediate family. He has also mastered his mother tongue which for effective communication, learning at this stage is mainly through play, imitation, observation and participation.
During play, the child imitates the type of job, character or what he sees his parents do. While acting during play, any passer-by owes it a duty to correct him if, and when he gets into difficulties or is doing the wrong thing. At this stage the boys imitate and take to the roles of fathers, the girls take to those of their mothers. It also a period of learning about things around their environment: names of trees, animals, fish, objects, insects and so on.
Adolescence
Adolescent stage of learning starts at the age of twelve. It is a period of renewed vigour in play and learning. Learning at this stage is done through folklores, riddles, proverbs, myths, legends, imitation, participation, initiation ceremonies, dos and don’ts, and so on. The aim of the girl-child education at this period is to prepare her as a future house wife and mother.The boy on his part works under close supervision of his father or elderly brothers or relations, to become a future husband and father. The unfortunate scenario in Nigeria today is a situation where more girls than boys are educated in South East region while more boys than girls are educated in
Northern and Southern Nigeria (Maisamari, 2006).
Adulthood
Education in the traditional society is a continuous and endless one. Accordingly, the adult receives his education from both the parents and or
parent-in-laws or any elder in the community. He also learns from the happenings within and outside his environment.
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