Why Do We Resist Change in Education? (3/4)
It’s completely natural to feel hesitant when faced with something unfamiliar, especially when it challenges our deeply held beliefs about how children should learn and grow. Many parents and educators resist research-based methods because they seem so different from the traditional models we grew up with. However, if we want to create the best possible learning environments for our children, we need to step back and consider why we cling to certain practices—and whether those approaches truly serve the needs of today’s children.
When I taught at a well-known school in Lebanon, I had the freedom to experiment with innovative teaching methods within a “traditional” classroom, which allowed me to expand my views on teaching. For example, despite having 30 students in my class, I didn’t follow the conventional setup. Sometimes we sat in a U-shape, other times in small groups—depending on the activity. One of my more unconventional choices was not assigning homework. I remember parents being shocked when I didn’t give written tasks to my 7-year-old students. They often asked for extra worksheets for their children to complete at home. When I explained that I preferred to let children rest and play instead, they were bewildered. "Play?" they’d ask. "What about academics?"
For me, it was important that children had time to relax and engage in essential activities outside the classroom, like play. However, many parents viewed it as unnecessary or unproductive. One time, a mother who also happened to be a fellow kindergarten teacher asked all the other teachers for worksheets because I had refused to give them to her daughter. Remembering this made me wonder: why do we resist change, even when the research is clear?
The Power of Tradition and Personal Experience
Think about the education system you experienced growing up. For most of us, it was an environment centered around compliance, structured lessons, and rote memorization. But that doesn’t mean it’s the best way for children to learn today. The world is changing, and the skills we need are different, so our methods should change too. However, breaking away from what we know can be challenging, especially when our past experiences shape the way we view education. Even when research suggests more effective methods, it’s hard to let go of what feels familiar.
In the classroom, many schools still prioritize control over curiosity. And it’s natural for us as parents to replicate those methods at home, without fully realizing it. We want to do what we believe is best for our children, and sometimes that means continuing the same patterns we experienced ourselves. For example, some parents and teachers may view play-based learning as “not real learning” because it doesn’t look like traditional schooling, which leads them to focus more on academic activities at home and in the classroom. But research shows that play nurtures creativity, emotional regulation, problem-solving skills, and cognitive development more effectively than passive instruction. Without firsthand experience with these methods, it’s hard to trust their value.
Pressure to Conform: Societal Expectations and Fear of Falling Behind
Both parents and educators often resist change in education due to societal pressures to conform. Many feel the need to follow mainstream parenting styles or prioritize early academic milestones because they fear their child or students will fall behind. This pressure is reinforced by extended family, friends, and social media, where success is often defined by benchmarks like early reading or writing skills, or by strict discipline. Educators also face similar pressures from school leadership and management, who may expect adherence to traditional teaching methods to maintain uniformity and meet standardized benchmarks.
As a result, some parents and teachers may push their children into routines that aren't aligned with research-based approaches, simply to avoid feeling like they’re falling short of societal expectations. This can lead to an emphasis on structured, academic tasks for example instead of giving children the time to explore and learn at their own pace.
Misinformation and Misunderstanding
There’s also a significant amount of misinformation surrounding alternative educational methods. For instance, many people mistakenly associate methods like Montessori or Reggio Emilia with a lack of academic rigor, thinking that they focus too much on creativity and exploration at the expense of core academic skills. Similarly, there’s a misunderstanding that gentle parenting or positive discipline is the same as permissiveness, leading people to question whether these approaches can help instill self-discipline. Will a child still be disciplined without traditional punishment? Will a child thrive academically without a more structured, authoritative approach?
In truth, research-backed methods demonstrate that emphasizing play, autonomy, and a holistic approach to learning can lead to high academic performance and well-being. This suggests that perhaps our definition of success in education needs to evolve. It’s not just about test scores; it’s about fostering well-rounded individuals who are emotionally intelligent, independent, and capable of lifelong learning.
Lack of Support or Guidance
One of the biggest challenges parents and educators face when embracing these methods is the lack of support. There’s often no clear roadmap for how to implement these approaches at home or in the classroom. Educators, in particular, may face resistance from school leadership, making it difficult to adopt new methods without administrative backing. Unlike traditional parenting methods or teaching methods, which tend to offer immediate results, research-based strategies typically require patience and a long-term perspective. The absence of quick feedback can feel discouraging, especially when parents and teachers lack a support network. Add to this the overwhelming amount of information available, and it’s no wonder so many feel unsure about where to start.
The Role of Parents and Educators in Driving Change
Even though large-scale education reform can be slow and challenging, meaningful change often starts with individuals—parents, teachers, and caregivers who choose to approach learning differently and embrace new, research-backed methods. By adopting a mindset of curiosity and openness, we can create environments that truly support children’s growth, in line with the best available research.
The good news is that change doesn’t have to be overwhelming. In the next part of this series, we’ll explore a practical guide that you can apply—whether at home or in the classroom—to start making these changes. Often, the smallest shifts can have the most profound impact on a child’s development.
