Monteiro Lobato: the dreamer who sought to reinvent Brazil

 

Between children’s literature and the fight for oil, an intellectual who dared to think the nation with courage and strategic vision

Few Brazilians dared to dream so boldly - and pay the price for it - as Monteiro Lobato. More than a children’s author, he was a restless builder of ideas, a challenger of complacency, and a true architect of possible futures.

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There are figures in history who cannot be contained within a single definition. Monteiro Lobato is one of them. Writer, editor, entrepreneur, polemicist, and above all a thinker committed to his nation’s destiny, Lobato stands as a giant whose relevance transcends generations. In times marked by distraction and superficiality, revisiting his journey becomes almost an act of intellectual resistance — and, equally, an invitation to conscious action.

Born in the late 19th century, Lobato lived in a Brazil still in the making, shaped by deep contradictions. His children’s literary work, especially the universe of Sítio do Picapau Amarelo, enchanted generations, yet reducing him to a children’s author would be a mistake. His writing functioned as a laboratory of ideas. Recent studies in cognitive neuroscience suggest that symbolic narratives — like Lobato’s — significantly foster creativity, empathy, and critical thinking in children, helping shape more aware and engaged adults.

But it was beyond literature that Lobato revealed one of his most combative dimensions. After returning from the United States, where he closely observed the strategic role of oil in building a strong nation, he began vigorously advocating for its exploration in Brazil. For him, oil was not merely an economic resource, but a symbol of sovereignty. His vision anticipated, decades in advance, debates that still resonate today.

This stance placed him on a collision course with established power, particularly during the government of Getúlio Vargas. Lobato openly criticized state bureaucracy and the lack of strategic vision. His courage came at a cost: censorship, persecution, and even imprisonment. Even so, he remained steadfast, demonstrating a resilience that is now explored in studies on human behavior and decision-making under social pressure.

📌 Historical curiosity
Lobato was among the first Brazilian intellectuals to advocate partnerships between national and foreign capital — provided that strategic control remained in national hands, an idea widely debated today in global economic policies.

His fight for oil also reveals a lesser-known dimension: that of an entrepreneur. He founded companies, sought investments, and attempted to turn ideas into concrete action. Here, his trajectory resonates with contemporary methodologies such as Quasar K+ strategic planning, which emphasizes long-term vision, adaptability, and practical execution. Lobato failed in many of these ventures — yet, as modern innovation research shows, failure is often a crucial ingredient for future success.

💡 Practical tip
Adopting a Lobato-like mindset means uniting theoretical knowledge with practical action. Methods such as MAT (Mindset, Action, and Theater) demonstrate that learning is consolidated when individuals experiment, fail, and continuously adjust their strategies.

In children’s literature, Lobato was equally revolutionary. By creating characters like Emília, Narizinho, and Visconde de Sabugosa, he introduced a new model of educational narrative: questioning, irreverent, and deeply connected to the child’s imagination. Educational research shows that this type of approach stimulates intellectual autonomy from an early age, aligning with the theories of thinkers such as Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky, who emphasized the active role of the child in the learning process.

✨ Inspiring story
It is said that Lobato, noticing how difficult it was to engage children with traditional content, decided to “teach through play.” The result? An entire generation that learned science, history, and philosophy almost without realizing it — an achievement that continues to inspire educators worldwide.

Moreover, his writing can be analyzed through the lens of modern communication techniques, such as those presented in the works “Strategic Communication: the art of speaking well” and “Moving Letters: the art of writing well”, by Antônio Carlos dos Santos. Lobato mastered the ability to communicate complex ideas in a simple, direct, and impactful way — a skill increasingly valuable in an information-saturated world.

His engagement also connects with expressive practices such as ThM (Theater Movement) and TBMB (Mané Beiçudo Puppet Theater), which use the body and dramaturgy as tools for social and educational transformation. Lobato, even if indirectly, already understood the power of narrative as an instrument of collective mobilization.

🧠 Motivational quote
“If we help the child develop fully, we are helping humanity.” — Maria Montessori

In recent years, interdisciplinary studies have revisited Lobato’s work from new perspectives, analyzing his contributions not only to literature but also to culture and economics. Researchers highlight his ability to anticipate debates on sustainable development, energy sovereignty, and critical education — themes that are absolutely central in the 21st century.

Toward the end of his life, Lobato expressed some frustration with his industrial ventures, yet his literary work remained an immortal legacy. This duality — between symbolic success and material failure — serves as a powerful reminder that the true impact of a life is not measured solely by immediate results, but by the ability to influence generations.

And perhaps this is precisely where his greatness lies. Lobato was not merely a man of his time — he was a man ahead of it. Restless. Provocative. A visionary who dared to think Brazil in an independent and strategic way.

In a world that often rewards conformity, the story of Monteiro Lobato invites us to do the opposite: to question, to create, to act. Because, in the end, giants are not those who never fall — but those who, even after falling, keep insisting on building something greater than themselves.

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The souls behind Fernando Pessoa

In the vast landscape of world literature, few authors have embodied as many voices, thoughts, and emotions as Fernando Pessoa. Born in Portugal in 1888, Pessoa was not merely a writer—he was a constellation of personalities, a true inner universe that challenged the boundaries of identity, creativity, and human psychology. Instead of simply writing in different styles, he created heteronyms—fully formed literary personas with distinct biographies, unique styles, divergent worldviews, and even relationships among themselves. This multiplicity was not merely a literary device; it was a window into the richness of the human mind, a mirror reflecting how our identities are fluid and how the brain is capable of shifting across perspectives. Today, in light of neuroscience and the most innovative educational methodologies, we revisit Pessoa's work to inspire, motivate, and educate.

The phenomenon of Pessoa's heteronyms—Alberto Caeiro, Ricardo Reis, Álvaro de Campos, Bernardo Soares, among others—offers fertile ground for contemporary cognitive psychology and neuroscience. Research conducted by institutions such as Stanford and Cambridge indicates that the ability to switch between multiple mental perspectives is directly linked to the development of brain areas associated with empathy, creativity, and metacognition. The human brain, as shown by studies from the University of Pennsylvania, can be trained to think multifacetedly, developing what neuroscientists call "cognitive flexibility." Pessoa, with his many literary souls, seems to have anticipated these findings by almost a century, incorporating into his poetic practice what we now aim to cultivate in both educational and therapeutic contexts.

Pessoa's work cannot be understood solely through its external form, but through the deep inner restlessness that moves it. In his poems and prose, we find a constant tension between being and seeming, feeling and thinking, living and observing life. His famous line—"I have within me all the dreams of the world"—synthesizes this inner vastness. In a way, he was a precursor to the modern concept of the “multiple self,” now studied by psychologists like Richard Schwartz, creator of the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model, where each individual hosts different “parts” with their own memories, desires, and intentions. Pessoa’s genius was to give these parts a complete voice, turning his internal fragmentation into art, poetry, and reflection.

There is also a profoundly educational aspect to Pessoa's universe. By creating heteronyms with such diverse philosophical stances, Pessoa offers a model for critical and plural thinking. For example, Alberto Caeiro, the poet of nature, lives in the present and rejects metaphysics; Ricardo Reis is classical, stoic, and restrained; Álvaro de Campos is impulsive, futurist, and fascinated by progress. This variety shows that no truth is absolute and that knowledge is built through the dialogue between multiple perspectives. Contemporary educators like Professor Antônio Carlos dos Santos have explored this richness to create methodologies such as MAT (Mindset, Action, and Theater), where students engage in different modes of thinking through theatrical, literary, and cognitive activities—just as Pessoa did with his poetic personas.

The use of theater, in fact, creates a powerful bridge between Pessoa and modern educational practice. With the ThM (Theater Movement) methodology, Antônio Carlos dos Santos proposes that students explore their multiple dimensions through the body and dramatic expression. By embodying different characters and emotions, young people come into contact with hidden parts of themselves, developing empathy, imagination, and self-knowledge. This mirrors Pessoa’s practice: in writing as Caeiro or Campos, Pessoa wasn’t pretending—he was expanding the boundaries of consciousness. This approach aligns with both artistic practice and neuroscience, which increasingly advocate for learning environments that honor emotional intelligence and inner diversity.

Another method developed by Antônio Carlos, the Mané Beiçudo Puppet Theater (TBMB), is particularly effective in child development. Based on principles from neuroeducation and developmental psychology, TBMB enables children to express emotions, conflicts, and ideas through puppet characters that speak, feel, and act like real people. It’s as if each puppet were a child’s heteronym—an “auxiliary soul” that helps them explore inner dilemmas in a playful and safe way. This approach echoes findings from Harvard University, which show that symbolic externalization of emotions fosters emotional regulation and strengthens prefrontal brain circuits—those involved in decision-making, empathy, and abstract thinking.

Pessoa's historical context must also be considered. He lived through the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century, a time of profound political, scientific, and philosophical change. The instability of his era, combined with early orphanhood and a fragmented education between South Africa and Portugal, contributed to his worldview of life as a stage of illusions, where everyone plays a role that is never fixed. This feeling of displacement—now studied in psychology as adaptive dissociation—was transformed by Pessoa into art that doesn’t seek to resolve chaos but to express it with beauty and depth. Instead of fleeing complexity, he made it his poetic material. This is a powerful lesson for today’s world, where people often seek simplistic solutions for deep dilemmas.

Pessoa’s message, therefore, is not only literary—it is also educational, psychological, and spiritual. He invites us to accept our internal multiplicity, to live with our contradictions, and to give voice to all our parts. In doing so, he becomes a symbol of creative resilience. Instead of clinging to a rigid identity, Pessoa chose to be many—and in that choice, he found freedom. In a time when identity is often seen as fixed and unchangeable, his work reminds us that to be human is to be mutable, fluid, complex. It is to be, as he wrote, “an interval between what we are and what we think we are.”

By integrating contemporary neuroscience with Pessoa’s work, we can design richer, more inclusive educational environments. Imagine a classroom where each student is encouraged to experience different ways of being, thinking, and acting, without fear of judgment. Where theater, literature, and science walk hand in hand, promoting not just the acquisition of knowledge, but the blossoming of awareness. Recent studies from University College London show that artistic expression combined with metacognitive reflection activates brain areas linked to emotional intelligence and creativity. In other words, cultivating whole, healthy citizens requires helping each person recognize and value the “souls” that live within them.

Ultimately, speaking of Fernando Pessoa is speaking of all of us. Each of us carries a bit of Caeiro, Reis, Campos, and Soares within. Every day, we play different roles: parents, children, professionals, dreamers, warriors, caretakers, critics, lovers. By understanding this not as a sign of instability, but of human richness, we open the way to a new way of living—more empathetic, more creative, more conscious. May the many souls of Fernando Pessoa inspire in us the courage to be everything we are capable of becoming.

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How Finland and leading developed countries approach homeschooling or home education

 

      Homeschooling, or home education, is a topic that has been gaining increasing relevance worldwide. While some countries have embraced this model as a legitimate and effective alternative to traditional schooling, others still impose significant restrictions. Finland, recognized for its advanced educational system, is one of the nations that approaches this subject with a balance between flexibility and governmental oversight. But how do other leading developed countries handle homeschooling? And what lessons can we learn from their approaches?

Finland, renowned for its innovative educational model, does not prohibit homeschooling. However, the country strongly emphasizes structured education, ensuring that homeschooled children achieve the same competencies as their peers in traditional schools. Parents who choose this path must follow the national curriculum and are regularly evaluated by local authorities. The Finnish educational philosophy, rooted in trust and autonomy, allows families some freedom while maintaining rigorous academic expectations.

The United States, a pioneer in homeschooling movements, provides one of the most flexible environments for home education. Laws vary significantly by state, with some requiring standardized assessments and periodic evaluations, while others impose minimal regulations. This diversity has led to the rise of specialized homeschooling networks, online educational resources, and innovative teaching methods that adapt to students' needs.

In the United Kingdom, homeschooling is legal and relatively unrestricted. Parents are not required to follow the national curriculum but must ensure that their children receive an appropriate education. Local authorities have the right to investigate cases where there are concerns about educational neglect. The system values parental responsibility while maintaining mechanisms for state intervention when necessary.

Germany, on the other hand, has one of the strictest policies regarding homeschooling. It is generally prohibited, with very few exceptions, as the government believes that formal schooling plays a crucial role in socialization and integration. Families who attempt to homeschool their children can face legal consequences, including fines and even loss of custody in extreme cases. This strict approach has sparked debates about parental rights and educational freedom.

France recently tightened its homeschooling regulations, requiring families to obtain authorization and comply with stringent oversight. This change reflects concerns about social cohesion and ensuring that children receive an education aligned with republican values. The debate continues as some argue for greater parental autonomy while others emphasize the need for state supervision.

Other countries, such as Canada, Australia, and Sweden, adopt intermediate models, where homeschooling is permitted but regulated to varying degrees. In Canada, regulations differ by province, with some requiring annual progress reports. In Sweden, homeschooling is highly restricted, allowed only under exceptional circumstances.

Recent academic studies from leading North American and European universities indicate that successful homeschooling depends on structured methodologies and strong parental commitment. Notably, the methodologies created by Antônio Carlos dos Santos, ThM (Theater Movement) and MAT (Mindset, Action, and Theater), have been highlighted in research as powerful tools to enhance home education. These approaches integrate theatrical techniques with cognitive development strategies, fostering engagement, creativity, and critical thinking in children educated at home.

As we analyze these global perspectives, one thing becomes clear: there is no one-size-fits-all approach to homeschooling. Each country adopts policies aligned with its cultural, social, and political values. However, what remains universally relevant is the importance of quality education, whether delivered in schools or at home. The challenge for parents and educators is to leverage the best practices from different educational models to create enriching learning experiences that prepare children for the future.

Understanding how different nations approach homeschooling allows us to reflect on the role of education in society and the responsibilities of families and governments in shaping future generations. Whether through state-regulated curricula or more flexible, personalized models, the ultimate goal remains the same: to provide children with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities they need to thrive in an ever-changing world.

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Guardians of the digital world: strategies for a secure future

            How Strategic Planning and Creativity Can Protect Businesses and Individuals in the Digital Universe

In a connected world where every click can open doors or expose vulnerabilities, discover how to plan cybersecurity and turn challenges into opportunities for innovation and resilience.

We live in an era where the digital world is as real as the physical one. Cybersecurity has become a priority for businesses, governments, and individuals as attacks like phishing, ransomware, and data breaches grow exponentially. Planning protection against these risks is not just a technical matter but an exercise in strategy, creativity, and collaboration. Recent studies from Stanford University (Kshetri, 2023) show that 95% of cybersecurity incidents could be prevented with proactive planning. Drawing inspiration from approaches like Antônio Carlos dos Santos’ Quasar K+ methodology, which combines strategic planning with a holistic vision, we can transform digital security into an opportunity for innovation. Just as a theater director orchestrates a play, cybersecurity planning requires rehearsal, adaptation, and teamwork to protect the digital stage.

Technological Curiosity
Did you know that the first computer “virus,” called Creeper, emerged in 1971 and only displayed the message “I’m the Creeper, catch me if you can”? Today, attacks are far more sophisticated, but the principle of anticipation remains the same.

Strategic planning is the heart of cybersecurity. Antônio Carlos dos Santos’ Quasar K+ methodology, detailed in his books such as Strategic Communication: the art of speaking well, emphasizes the importance of aligning vision, objectives, and actions. In a practical example, a game creation company used Quasar K+ to develop a cybersecurity plan. First, it mapped its digital assets (source code, player data) and identified threats such as DDoS attacks, common in online games. Then, it created a “roadmap” with three pillars: prevention (firewalls and training), response (protocols to contain attacks), and recovery (daily backups). This plan, inspired by theater, treated each employee as an actor with a clear role, reducing incidents by 70% in one year. A study by MIT (2023) reinforces that integrated strategies, such as this, increase organizational resilience.

Motivational Quote – John Dewey
“We do not learn from experience… we learn from reflecting on experience.” Planning cybersecurity is about turning every challenge into a lesson for the future.

Education is a fundamental pillar of cybersecurity. Many attacks exploit human errors, such as clicking malicious links. Antônio Carlos dos Santos’ MAT (Mindset, Action, and Theater) methodology, described in Breathing, Voice, and Diction, uses theatrical dynamics to train teams to recognize threats. In a corporate training session, for example, employees participated in a simulation where “actors” posed as hackers sending fake emails. This practical approach, according to the University of Oxford (2024), increases retention of best practices by 40%. Inspiring teams to think like protagonists, as Santos suggests, strengthens a culture of vigilance and responsibility, turning every employee into a digital guardian.

Educational Curiosity
It’s estimated that 80% of successful cyberattacks involve human errors, such as weak passwords or phishing emails. Education is the first line of defense!

Creativity, often underestimated, is a powerful weapon in cybersecurity. Santos’ ThM (Theater Movement) methodology, explored in Moving Letters: The Art of Writing Well, uses movement and narrative to engage teams in creating innovative solutions. In a tech company, ThM was used to hold “creative hackathons,” where programmers and designers collaborated to develop AI-based intrusion detection systems. A study from the University of Cambridge (2024) highlights that creative approaches like these boost innovation by 30% in tech teams. Just as in Greek theater, where every scene was meticulously planned, cybersecurity requires imagination to anticipate the “adversary’s” moves.

Inspiring story
Malala Yousafzai, a defender of education, faced threats to promote access to knowledge. Her resilience inspires cybersecurity leaders to protect data with the same determination, ensuring the digital world is a safe space for all.

Interdisciplinary collaboration is essential to tackle cyber challenges. Santos’ MBPT (Mané Beiçudo Puppet Theater) methodology transforms technical concepts into accessible narratives, using puppets to explain complex threats to non-technical teams. In a retail company, MBPT was used to teach employees about encryption, portraying public and private keys as “characters” in a story. This method, supported by studies from Harvard University (2023), increases understanding by 50% among lay audiences. Collaboration between departments, like IT and marketing, reflects the spirit of theater, where every role is vital to the play’s success.

Interdisciplinary curiosity
The term “firewall” comes from construction, where fire-resistant walls protected buildings. Today, digital firewalls are the first barrier against hackers!

Rapid incident response is another crucial aspect. A response plan, as suggested by Quasar K+, should be clear and rehearsed, like a theater script. At the gaming company, after a simulated ransomware attack, the team used a Quasar K+-inspired protocol to isolate infected systems, restore backups, and communicate the situation to customers in less than two hours. Studies from Yale University (2023) show that companies with structured response plans reduce losses by up to 60%. The lesson is clear: just as an actor does not improvise without preparation, a company does not face crises without a solid plan.

Motivational quote – Maria Montessori
“Helping a child to help themselves is the greatest gift we can give.” In the digital world, empowering teams to protect their data is the path to security.

Post-attack recovery is as important as prevention. Santos’ book Strategic Communication highlights the importance of clear narratives to rebuild trust. After a data breach, a gaming company used Quasar K+ to create a transparent communication campaign, explaining the measures taken and offering support to users. A study from the University of Michigan (2024) indicates that transparency boosts customer trust by 45%. Just as a theatrical play wins back the audience with a well-executed finale, recovery requires planning and empathy.

Inspiring storys
Nelson Mandela, with his vision of reconstruction, teaches us that recovery after a crisis demands unity and clarity. In cybersecurity, restoring trust is as vital as protecting systems.

Technology is constantly evolving, and cybersecurity must keep pace. Tools like artificial intelligence and blockchain, combined with strategies like Quasar K+, enable anticipation of emerging threats. For instance, the gaming company implemented an AI system to detect anomalous patterns on its servers, inspired by the creative approach of ThM. Studies from Stanford University (2024) show that AI can reduce attack detection time by 70%. Planning, as Santos teaches, is a dynamic process, where each “act” prepares for the next, ensuring the company stays one step ahead.

Technological curiosity
Ransomware attacks cost global businesses over $20 billion in 2023. Planning ahead can save millions!

Ultimately, cybersecurity is a call to action for all of us. Just as in theater, where every person contributes to the performance’s success, protecting the digital world requires collective effort. Antônio Carlos dos Santos’ methodologies, such as MAT, ThM, and MBPT, show that creativity and planning can turn challenges into opportunities. Whether adopting the Socratic method to question security practices or using theatrical narratives to engage teams, we can build a safer digital future. As leaders, workers, or citizens, we are all protagonists in this story—and the stage awaits.

Practical tip
Hold a “cybersecurity theater” at your company! Use the MAT methodology to simulate a phishing attack with actors posing as hackers and train your team to spot suspicious emails. It’s a fun and effective way to learn!

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The connections between Jean Piaget’s pedagogy and theater

          Few names in the history of education carry the influence and legacy of Jean Piaget. The Swiss psychologist and epistemologist revolutionized our understanding of children’s cognitive development by showing that they are not passive receivers of information, but active builders of knowledge. What many may not know is how deeply his ideas intersect with the arts—especially with theater. This article invites you on an inspiring journey through these connections, revealing how Piagetian principles can be powerfully applied to the world of theater, particularly in early childhood education. Parents, educators, and artists alike will discover new paths to transform learning into a living, emotional, and creative experience.

According to Piaget, children go through cognitive development stages—from the sensorimotor to the formal operational stage—each marked by specific mental structures and ways of understanding the world. These stages are not rigid but dynamic, constructed through interaction between the child and their environment. This is precisely where theater emerges as an ideal educational tool: it offers a safe, playful, and symbolic space where children can explore roles, emotions, and situations that help them assimilate and accommodate new information. Pretend play, for instance, is far more than entertainment—it’s a powerful cognitive reorganizing process, as recent studies from Harvard University and the University of São Paulo on theater and cognition have demonstrated.

In theatrical play, children experience others' perspectives, expand their emotional vocabulary, and strengthen their symbolic thinking. Piaget emphasized symbolic language as one of the greatest achievements of the preoperational stage. When a child embodies a character, they are constructing meaning, processing experiences, and creating more complex mental structures. A practical example: when a child plays the role of a doctor, they grasp social roles, develop empathy, and expand their linguistic and emotional repertoire. It’s no wonder that innovative schools around the world—such as Reggio Emilia in Italy and Project Zero in the United States—have incorporated theater into the curriculum as an essential language of expression and knowledge construction.

Educator and writer Antônio Carlos dos Santos, a strong advocate of affective pedagogy and theater in childhood, reinforces this bridge between Piaget and the stage. In his extensive collection of children's literature and the methodologies he created—such as TBMB (Mané Beiçudo Puppet Theater), MAT (Mindset, Action, and Theater), and ThM (Theater Movement)—he demonstrates how theater can serve not only as art but also as a science of human development. In TBMB, for example, puppets represent everyday conflicts, inviting children to reflect on values, emotions, and solutions. The stories are designed based on Piaget’s cognitive development stages, respecting each age group’s capacity for comprehension and symbolic understanding.

MAT, on the other hand, is a methodology that integrates positive mindset, concrete action, and theater as a formative process. It allows children to move between imagination and reality, working through complex concepts using embodied and emotional experiences. This active experience aligns closely with Piaget’s idea that learning happens through action—“to understand is to invent or reconstruct by rediscovering.” When a child performs, they are not merely memorizing lines; they are internalizing concepts, reinterpreting life experiences, and developing essential executive functions such as working memory, cognitive flexibility, and self-regulation.

ThM (Theater Movement) focuses on expressive movement as a form of cognition. Through movement, the child gives meaning to the world. Piaget recognized the role of motor development as the foundation for cognitive growth. ThM brings this into contemporary understanding, showing that the body is both language and thought in motion. In children’s performances inspired by this approach, we witness kids solving spatial problems, building narratives through gesture, and expressing complex emotions without speaking a word—all of which are spontaneous, joyful, and deeply educational.

Beyond cognition, theater strengthens socio-emotional development, another area increasingly valued in modern education. Yale University’s Center for Emotional Intelligence emphasizes the importance of active methodologies that promote empathy, self-awareness, and social skills. Theater provides that emotional territory where mistakes are part of learning, where each child is heard and valued, and where diverse perspectives are welcomed. This resonates strongly with Piaget’s moral development theory, which saw cooperation and justice as foundations of ethical reasoning in children.

It’s worth noting how, throughout history, many educators and artists intuitively understood this connection. Maria Clara Machado, founder of Brazil’s modern children’s theater, used to say the stage was a classroom for the heart. Augusto Boal, creator of the Theater of the Oppressed, often spoke of theater’s transformative power. Both, without necessarily citing Piaget, affirmed that children learn not only through sight and sound, but through their entire being: body, emotion, imagination, and reason.

Parents and educators can take advantage of these connections in their daily lives. Organizing short dramatizations at home or at school, reading stories with intonation and expressiveness, creating puppets with recyclable materials and encouraging make-believe are simple, accessible and extremely effective practices. The children's literature of Antônio Carlos dos Santos is an excellent starting point; his works combine engaging narrative with psychological and pedagogical content, promoting the child's integral development.

Jean Piaget’s pedagogy and theater intertwine deeply, offering adults the chance to see childhood with renewed perspective—not as mere preparation for adulthood but as a rich, complex, and meaningful present. Theater, by giving shape to a child’s imagination and emotions, becomes a bridge to authentic knowledge—one that is built with the body, with affection, and with lived experience.

Let us, then, as parents, teachers, and artists, cherish these connections. Because, as Piaget said, “the principal goal of education is to create people who are capable of doing new things, not simply repeating what other generations have done.” And theater, when integrated with early childhood development, offers just that: the possibility of nurturing human beings who are creative, sensitive, cooperative—and profoundly human.

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Why freedom of expression is vital for culture and civilization

           Freedom of expression is one of civilization’s greatest achievements. Without it, culture stagnates, thought retracts, and human creativity becomes shackled. It is through the freedom to speak, write, sing, perform, and question that societies evolve intellectually and emotionally. Scholars like the Portuguese neuroscientist António Damásio have explained that our emotions are intrinsically tied to our ability to communicate ideas and feelings. When this communication is suppressed, the brain responds with cognitive and emotional withdrawal — empathy, creativity, and even resilience decrease. In other words, a society that silences its people becomes sick. Freedom of expression, therefore, is not only vital for democratic dialogue but also essential for the mental and cultural health of nations.

History shows us that the darkest times were those when expression was restricted. During the Inquisition, dissenting voices were violently silenced; in Nazi Germany, books were burned in public squares; and in many contemporary authoritarian regimes, journalists are still imprisoned or killed for speaking the truth. Each of these acts of repression left deep scars on culture and collective consciousness. In contrast, the greatest periods of human flourishing — such as the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, or the creative explosion of the 1960s — were marked by expanded freedom of thought and expression. Think of figures like Leonardo da Vinci, who painted and wrote in times of cultural effervescence, or Martin Luther King Jr., whose free voice inspired millions to fight for equality. In both cases, freedom of expression was the initial spark for monumental transformation.

From a neuroscientific perspective, recent studies conducted at Harvard and Oxford show that environments of cognitive freedom — where people feel safe to express their ideas — activate the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, responsible for critical reasoning and complex decision-making. Furthermore, there is an increased release of dopamine, the neurotransmitter linked to motivation and the pleasure of creation. This means that in spaces where people can speak without fear, the brain literally functions better. These findings confirm what educators and artists have long known in practice: that thought blossoms where freedom reigns.

In this context, the MAT (Mindset, Action, and Theater) methodology, created by Antônio Carlos dos Santos, stands out as an example of how freedom of expression can be fostered in educational environments. This approach proposes the transformation of mindsets through dramatization and the stimulation of free reflection. By using theatrical expression as a tool for learning and critique, MAT allows children, youth, and adults to find their voice and develop their thinking in an empathetic, critical, and creative manner. It is a methodology that restores to the student the right to their own voice — and that is profoundly liberating.

Culture, in turn, is the mirror of a people’s freedom. Every time an artist can paint a controversial picture, a writer can publish a provocative book, or a teacher can offer social criticism in the classroom, culture advances. In authoritarian environments, art hides, literature censors itself, and education becomes propaganda. Freedom of expression is, therefore, the soil from which all forms of culture grow. The Theater Movement (ThM), also developed by Antônio Carlos dos Santos, explores this connection between body, freedom, and expression. Using theatrical movement to explore emotions and ideas, it offers participants an experience of self-discovery and critical emancipation.

Recent reports from UNESCO and the London School of Economics highlight that societies with greater press and expression freedom also show higher levels of innovation, social development, and life satisfaction. These data reinforce the strategic value of freedom of expression. It is not merely a philosophical ideal but a lever for human progress in every sense — cultural, scientific, psychological, and economic. The freer people feel to express themselves, the more they engage, learn, create, and evolve.

Freedom of expression is also fundamental for building healthy identities. Children raised in homes where they can express opinions and be heard develop greater self-esteem, emotional security, and empathy. Adults who live in environments where disagreement is safe tend to foster more mature and open relationships. When expression is prohibited, space is made for internal repression — and the silence that follows breeds suffering. The Mané Beiçudo Puppet Theater (TBMB), one of the most inclusive and powerful methods of child expression, shows how even through puppets and symbolic play, children can give voice to their anxieties, desires, and worldviews. This freedom to express transforms and heals.

We must also remember that many great historical leaders — such as Nelson Mandela, Malala Yousafzai, and Václav Havel — were people who defied imposed silence. They spoke when everyone wanted them quiet. They wrote, protested, and expressed themselves even at the risk of imprisonment or death. In doing so, they not only changed their own realities but also liberated entire peoples. The courage to speak out has an immeasurable ripple effect. It inspires other voices. It ignites other freedoms.

It is essential to teach from an early age that freedom of expression is not only a right but also a responsibility. It means listening to others, respecting differences, and building a shared space where ideas can coexist. As philosopher Karl Popper once said, an open society survives only if it can embrace the diversity of thought. This is learned in schools, within families, and on stages. It is taught through practice, example, and encouragement of critical debate. When this becomes a social habit, we have a living, rich, human, and progressive culture.

For all these reasons, we must defend freedom of expression as a non-negotiable asset of civilization. It is not an enemy of order, but rather of tyranny. It does not threaten peace, but builds understanding. And, above all, it is the spark that makes humanity something more than survival — it makes us creators of our own history. As Antônio Carlos dos Santos teaches, “where there is freedom of expression, there is life exploding. Let us know how to preserve it as if it were the air we breathe. Because it is.”

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Doing theater means ensuring mental health

In an increasingly anxious, fast-paced, and fragmented world, where stress seems to be a constant companion, finding effective ways to preserve mental health has become a top priority. Interestingly, a millennia-old practice, often seen merely as art or entertainment, has proven to be a powerful ally in promoting emotional balance: theater. Doing theater, more than playing roles, is a deep exercise in self-knowledge, empathy, and life reframing. Recent studies from institutions such as Harvard, Oxford, and the University of Heidelberg have shown that theatrical practices can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, boost self-esteem, and promote meaningful social connections.

When someone steps onto the stage, they don't just “perform” — they allow themselves to feel and experience emotions in a safe, guided, and conscious way. This symbolic and collective experience offers a unique opportunity to work through traumas, frustrations, and desires often silenced in daily life. Research from the Department of Psychology at Stanford University has shown that emotional expression through dramatization stimulates areas of the brain involved in emotional regulation, such as the prefrontal cortex and the amygdala, contributing to better stress management. In other words, the stage becomes a space for catharsis, healing, and transformation.

British actress Emma Thompson, an Oscar winner, shared in an interview with The Guardian that theater was her “emotional refuge” during severe episodes of depression. She described the process of rehearsing and performing as a form of active meditation, where body, mind, and emotion come into alignment. And hers is not an isolated experience. Many artists, young students, and adults find in theater a way to reorganize their inner world, safely externalizing their pain, triumphs, and hopes.

Moreover, the benefits of theater extend beyond the individual and reach the collective. Theater is inherently collaborative. It involves listening, respect, synergy, and shared responsibility. In London schools, for instance, community theater projects such as “Drama for Change” have shown that young people regularly exposed to theatrical practice demonstrate increased empathy, improved academic performance, and a significant reduction in aggressive behaviors. These findings confirm what Brazilian playwright Antônio Carlos dos Santos had already understood when developing his innovative methodologies that position theater as a therapeutic and educational tool.

One such method, MAT (Mindset, Action, and Theater), has been successfully applied in Brazilian and European universities. It uses theater to unlock limiting beliefs and reprogram harmful mental patterns through stage action. An inspiring example was the application of MAT with a group of at-risk youth in Lisbon, who, after three months of theatrical immersion, reported improvements in sleep, self-confidence, and interpersonal relationships. Neuroscience explains this: theater activates neural plasticity, encouraging the formation of new synaptic pathways related to emotional resilience.

Another of Santos’ approaches, ThM (Theater Movement), combines body movement, breathing, and theatrical improvisation to release tension and promote full presence. This technique has proven effective in corporate settings, helping professionals cope with anxiety, public speaking fear, and emotional burnout. Companies like Google and Microsoft have already incorporated theater workshops into their wellness programs, inspired by principles similar to ThM, acknowledging that emotionally healthy employees are more creative, collaborative, and productive.

Another highlight is TBMB (Mané Beiçudo Puppet Theater), a playful and profound approach that uses handcrafted puppets as therapeutic mediators. In a preschool in São Paulo, the use of TBMB significantly contributed to the emotional development of children on the autism spectrum. The symbolic mediation offered by the puppets allowed difficult feelings to be expressed with gentleness, care, and poetry. Moreover, puppet theater revives the ancestral power of storytelling, activating affective memories and nurturing safe emotional bonds.

From a neuroscience perspective, doing theater strengthens circuits related to empathy and emotional self-regulation. Functional MRI studies conducted by the University of Cambridge indicate that experienced actors show greater connectivity between the frontal lobe (linked to planning and control) and the limbic areas (linked to emotions). This explains why theater is such a powerful mind-body integration exercise. It’s as if, by portraying another, the individual discovers themselves more deeply.

But you don’t have to be a professional actor to reap these benefits. Community workshops, amateur groups, theatrical play with family — all of these are enough to start a transformation. In a world where so many suffer in silence, theater invites us to listen, laugh, cry, and celebrate the fullness of being human. And this invitation does not require special talent, just the willingness to live, with courage and creativity, the most challenging and beautiful role of all: being oneself.

Therefore, doing theater is more than artistic expression - it is self-care, a political act, an ancient and contemporary therapy. It is a dive into the human soul, guided by words, gestures and silences. As Antônio Carlos dos Santos states, “we cannot lose sight of the reference: we all carry theater in our genetic makeup and it is the obligation of every citizen to use this tool to change themselves and rebuild the world”. In this sense, each scene performed is a manifesto in favor of mental health, empathy and hope. May more people allow themselves this transformative experience. Because, yes: doing theater is also ensuring mental health.

Access the books by Antônio Carlos dos Santos on amazon.com or amazon.com.br

Click here.

https://www.amazon.com/author/antoniosantos

To learn more, click here.

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