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A quiet revolution at the heart of childhood
The holistic development of children
is one of the most noble and necessary goals of contemporary education. More
than transmitting content, educating today means helping children develop in
all dimensions: cognitive, emotional, social, physical, and ethical. To achieve
this ideal, we need pedagogies that recognize the child as an active subject,
capable of creating meaning and expressing themselves freely. In this context,
the Pedagogies of Creativity and Autonomy (PCA)—a set of innovative methodologies
developed by professor and playwright Antônio Carlos dos Santos—offer a
new way to see, hear, and educate our children through art, playfulness, and
affection.
When we observe a
child in their early years, we see an insatiable curiosity, an intense desire
to explore, and a natural yearning for autonomy. Research in neurodevelopment,
such as those by the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University,
shows that emotionally, physically, and symbolically rich experiences in early
childhood are crucial for forming the neural connections that sustain lifelong
learning. The PCA pedagogies respond directly to this need: they create
sensitive, aesthetic, and interactive educational environments that stimulate
multiple forms of expression and thought.
One of the core
elements of these pedagogies is the Mané Beiçudo Puppet Theater (TBMB),
created by Antônio Carlos dos Santos, inspired by Brazilian popular culture and
European theatrical pedagogy. TBMB is not just puppetry—it is a methodology in
which the child becomes the author of their own narrative. During the
activities, children create characters, build sets, and act out symbolic
conflicts that reflect their inner world. Take the story of eight-year-old
Davi, who portrayed a lonely puppet seeking friendship. Through this
performance, he expressed his own recent struggles adapting to a new school.
The educator, attentive to the metaphor, was able to offer support and propose
new social integration activities. TBMB transforms play into a tool for
listening and care.
The second PCA
methodology is MAT – Mindset, Action and Theater, which combines the evolution
of constructivist thinking with the neuroscience of motivation and theatrical
practice. Here, children experience learning situations that challenge their
beliefs about themselves. They are encouraged to experiment, make mistakes,
reflect and try again, developing what psychologist Carol Dweck calls a “growth
mindset”. Through role-playing games, improvisations and simulations of real
dilemmas, such as resolving a conflict during recess or overcoming the fear of
performing, children build resilience and self-regulation. In a public school
in the interior of Minas Gerais, for example, the application of MAT for six
months significantly reduced cases of indiscipline and increased students’
self-esteem, according to reports from teachers and pedagogical observers.
The third pillar of
the PCA is ThM – Theater Movement, which sees the body as a mediator of
thought. Drawing inspiration from eurythmy, physical theater, and relational
psychomotricity, ThM invites children to explore space, rhythm, and movement as
legitimate ways of learning and expressing themselves. In a world increasingly
digital and sedentary, ThM rescues the body’s central role in cognition. Take
Maria, a six-year-old who showed difficulties with attention and speech. After
participating in ThM sessions, her bodily expression flourished, and she began
narrating stories first through gestures, then with words. Studies from the
University of Bologna confirm that rich bodily experiences strengthen brain
regions linked to language and memory.
PCA is more than a
methodology: it is an educational philosophy. It recognizes that children learn
best when they are emotionally involved, when they can actively participate in
the construction of knowledge, and when their pace and uniqueness are
respected. Antônio Carlos dos Santos, in his vast production of children's
literature, presents us with characters who overcome fears, discover talents,
and build bridges between the imaginary and the real. These are stories that
inspire, provoke, and, above all, embrace the complexity of childhood.
The impact of PCA on
holistic development is profound. By stimulating creativity, empathy, critical
thinking, and cooperation, these pedagogies prepare children not just for tests
but for ethical, sensitive, and innovative living. Reports from UNESCO
and the OECD emphasize that 21st-century competencies go beyond
technical skills and include socio-emotional intelligence, communication,
autonomy, and the ability to solve complex problems. PCA offers a concrete and
joyful path to cultivating these competencies from early childhood.
Parents and educators
play a central role in this process. They must become active partners in the
daily application of PCA—whether by encouraging imaginative play, allowing
children to make choices, or validating mistakes as part of learning. A mother
who listens to her child create characters with toys, or a teacher who
transforms a classroom into a stage for experimentation, is already living the
spirit of the Pedagogies of Creativity and Autonomy.
The daily
implementation of PCA—in schools, homes, and community projects—turns
educational spaces into territories of affection and discovery. Rather than
expecting all children to arrive at the same destination at the same time, PCA
allows each child to flourish in their own way. In doing so, they expand the
reach of education—not only forming students but nurturing freer, more
empathetic, and joyful human beings.
Ultimately, educating
with the Pedagogies of Creativity and Autonomy is an act of faith in the power
of childhood. It means believing that each child carries within them a unique
spark, ready to light up the world — as long as someone believes, encourages,
and allows them to shine. As Antônio Carlos dos Santos himself wrote:
“Education is not about fitting in, but about liberation. More than recipes and
molds, childhood needs wings.”
Access the books by Antônio Carlos dos Santos on amazon.com or amazon.com.br
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