The Importance of the Informal Curriculum: How Students Learn Beyond the Classroom
As important as the formal curriculum is in schools, there is an even more critical yet often overlooked aspect of learning: the informal curriculum. The informal curriculum, also known as the hidden curriculum, refers to the unwritten, unofficial, and often unacknowledged values, attitudes, and beliefs that students learn while outside of the classroom. While the formal curriculum lays the foundation for academic knowledge, the informal curriculum shapes students’ social and emotional development and prepares them for life beyond school.
What is the informal curriculum?
The informal curriculum encompasses everything that falls outside of the traditional classroom setting, from the interactions that students have with their peers and teachers to extracurricular activities like sports teams, clubs, and volunteer work. It also includes the values and beliefs that are implicitly taught through the media, cultural traditions, and societal norms. Unlike the explicit goals and objectives of the formal curriculum, the informal curriculum is often transmitted through modeling, observation, and imitation. These types of learning experiences can be both positive and negative and can have a lasting impact on a student’s life.
Why is the informal curriculum important?
In an environment where the emphasis is on academic achievement, it is easy to overlook the importance of social and emotional development. However, research has shown that social-emotional learning is critical to students’ success in school and in life. Students who have strong socio-emotional skills are more likely to exhibit positive behavior, have higher academic achievement, and build strong relationships with others. The informal curriculum provides opportunities to build these skills by allowing students to develop friendships, practice leadership, and learn how to cope with adversity.
Moreover, the informal curriculum is a valuable tool for teaching students about diversity and equity. By engaging in activities that expose them to different cultures, perspectives, and experiences, students develop a broader worldview that fosters empathy and understanding. Exposure to diverse backgrounds and experiences also challenges students’ assumptions and helps them develop critical thinking skills.
Examples of the informal curriculum in action
Perhaps the most prominent example of the informal curriculum is the impact that teachers have on their students’ lives beyond the classroom. Teachers who exhibit positive behavior, such as kindness, empathy, and respect, can greatly influence a student’s socio-emotional development. Conversely, negative behavior, such as yelling or being dismissive of students’ concerns, can have lasting negative effects.
Another example of the informal curriculum is extracurricular activities like sports teams or clubs. These activities provide students with opportunities to build relationships, learn new skills, and develop a sense of responsibility and leadership. Participating in these activities can also help students develop a sense of identity and purpose.
Conclusion
While the formal curriculum is undoubtedly essential, it is important to recognize the value of the informal curriculum. By acknowledging the impact of the informal curriculum on students’ social and emotional development, we can better prepare them for life beyond school. Teachers, parents, and community members can help support the informal curriculum by providing opportunities for students to engage in extracurricular activities, exposing them to diverse experiences and beliefs, and modeling positive behavior. Ultimately, a well-rounded education involves a combination of both the formal and informal curriculum.
