The Power of Dreams in Students
Brazilian educator Paulo Freire emphasizes the importance of dreaming for students. According to Freire, dreams are essential to learning and becoming a fully realized human being. This blog post will explore why Freire believed students must dream to thrive and succeed.
First and foremost, Freire believed that dreaming was a way for students to connect with their humanity. When we dream, we tap into our deepest desires and hopes for ourselves and the world. Dreams are a way for us to imagine a better future that is not constrained by the limitations of our current reality. For students, dreaming is a way to cultivate a sense of purpose and meaning. When students are encouraged to dream, they are more likely to develop an understanding of agency and autonomy, which can be hugely empowering.
Furthermore, Freire believed that dreaming was a way to cultivate creativity and imagination in students. When we dream, we can explore new possibilities and think outside the box. We are not limited by what is currently known or accepted but are instead able to push boundaries and challenge assumptions. For students, dreaming is a way to foster curiosity and a love of learning. When students are encouraged to dream, they are more likely to engage with the material they are learning and seek new ideas and perspectives.
In addition to fostering creativity and imagination, Freire believed that dreaming was a way to cultivate critical thinking skills in students. When we dream, we must confront our assumptions and biases. We must question our beliefs and values and consider alternative ways of viewing the world. For students, dreaming is a way to develop a more nuanced and sophisticated understanding of themselves and their world. When students are encouraged to dream, they are more likely to engage in deep, reflective thinking, which can lead to greater insight and understanding.
Finally, Freire believed that dreaming was a way to cultivate a sense of social responsibility in students. When we dream, we are not just dreaming for ourselves but for the world around us. We envision a better future for everyone, not just ourselves. For students, this means that dreaming is a way to develop a sense of empathy and compassion for others. When students are encouraged to dream, they are more likely to think about how they can contribute to the betterment of society and to take action to make their dreams a reality.
In conclusion, Paulo Freire believed that dreaming was essential to becoming a fully realized human being. For students, dreaming is a way to connect with their humanity, cultivate creativity and imagination, develop critical thinking skills, and cultivate a sense of social responsibility. When students are encouraged to dream, they are more likely to develop a sense of purpose and meaning in their lives and to engage in deep, reflective thinking that can lead to greater insight and understanding. As educators, we are responsible for creating learning environments that foster dreaming so that our students can thrive and succeed inside and outside the classroom.
Help Students Dream Action Steps
Discuss students’ dreams or lack thereof at the beginning of the school year. If a student doesn’t have a dream, you tell them it’s perfect; they have a blank canvas, which can be as large as they say. Once we ignite their dreams, we must prepare them for the journey by becoming aware of the possible barriers, thinking them through, and planning how to overcome them—in short, helping students design their overcoming playbook.
Guiding Questions
What is your Dream?
What barriers can you see?
What is your barrier removal plan?
How will you execute this plan each day?
