20 Where There Is No Dentist 2012
PART 1:
TEACHING SO THAT LEARNING CAN TAKE PLACE
More children than ever before are having
problems with their teeth and their gums.
A tooth that hurts or gums that are
sore can affect a student’s ability to pay
attention in school and learn.
Treating the problem makes the child feel
better, and that is important. It is equally
important to prevent the same problem
from returning later.
Working together, teachers and school children can do much
to prevent both tooth decay and gum disease.
Keeping the mouth healthy involves learning about eating good food and
keeping teeth clean. Just giving information is not enough, though. To truly
learn, children need a chance to find out things for themselves.
Forcing a person simply to accept what
you say does not work very well.
A student learns not to question. What
you teach may have no relation to his
own experiences and needs.
As a result, he may end up not doing
what you teach—not eating good foods,
and not cleaning his teeth.
Learning happens when a student with a
question or an idea is able to discover more
about it himself.
It also happens when he has a chance to do
whatever is necessary to take better care of
himself and his family.
He can learn by doing. Give him a chance to
eat good food and clean his teeth at school.