Children as Persons

At Ambleside, children are not defined by strengths or weaknesses. They are not — like unmoulded clay — “incomplete and undeveloped” beings. Children are persons, created in the image of God, with vast potential for varied interests and skills, fostered through a broad curriculum and proficient instructors.

Children as Persons
Who hasn’t been defined by character or ability? “You are musical, bright, and mathematically inclined,” says a teacher. “You are tone deaf, clumsy, average, and have little or no aptitude for math,” says another. Defining children with various labels is commonplace in our culture, bringing about identity from behaviours which are natural or which are merely weak and undeveloped. These become defining because it is easier to instruct students who have natural bents towards a particular skill or knowledge. Correspondingly, it is also easier to leave students to their nature if they are weak or lack the skills or knowledge.

At Ambleside, therefore, we believe in the possibility that all children:

• Experience a broad, rigorous curriculum.
• Calculate, solve, attend, explore, ponder, recite, paint, and sing.
• Are held to a high standard in relationship to self, others, ideas, and work.
• Learn without the external motivation of grades, rewards, punishment, or manipulation.
• Participate actively in the learning process each day.
• Learn to complete punctual, accurate, neat, work.
• Demonstrate complex thought, mastery of material, and academic skill.
• Receive support as they master the habits of a life well-lived.
• Encounter a wealth of ideas and knowledge in well-written books.
• Complete tasks worthy of their attention, time, effort, and thought.