Forthcoming with Trentham Books, UK, February 2012.
This book explores the phenomenon of silence in schools, considering a wide range of its appearances and uses. Starting from a discussion of the negative and coercive aspects of silence in schools, the discussion moves quickly onto examples of how silence in school environments generates a positive influence in the education of children.
Silence is currently undervalued as a pedagogical tool. Nevertheless it is cost-free and educationally significant. The discussion in this book covers some of the ways in which silence is currently being used in schools through the introduction of meditation, quiet spaces and silent moments and how such uses are enhancing and affecting school experience. The explorations in the book also consider how awareness of silence can be developed to change school cultures, notably towards more democratic and reflective practices.
This book is of interest to head teachers, classroom teachers, policy makers, educational researchers and parents. The conclusions drawn offer useful international applications and can be impactful in many different types of educational setting.
Helen E. Lees is currently Research Fellow in the Laboratory for Educational Theory in the School of Education at University of Stirling, Scotland. She has been a practising meditator for 15 years and has a strong interest in the power of silence to benefit and enhance people’s lives.
