Research
At Spaghetti Bridge we are passionate about our research and have been influenced by a variety of thinkers. As we aim to develop our unique approach to education, we are enthusiastic about building upon the research and pedagogy of influential educationalists and practitioners from a range of fields.
In doing so, our aim is to continuously develop our education approach in two ways: to keep up to date with contemporary research and to evaluate the outcomes of our unique approach.
Influences
Our current education approach has been informed by a range of thinkers from various fields.
Below, are a list of some key individuals who have inspired us and whose ideas have helped shape our approach.
The people listed below are in no way affiliated with Spaghetti Bridge or any of Spaghetti Bridge’s individual services.
Sir Ken Robinson
Sir Ken Robinson was a renown and progressive educational thinker who worked with governments, education systems, international agencies, global corporations and some of the world’s leading cultural organizations to unlock the creative energy of people and organizations. He led national and international projects on creative and cultural education in the UK, Europe, Asia and the United States. The embodiment of the prestigious TED Conference and its commitment to spreading new ideas, Sir Ken Robinson is the most watched speaker in TED’s history. His 2006 talk, “Do Schools Kill Creativity” has been viewed online over 60 million times and seen by an estimated 380 million people in 160 countries.
He was critical of contemporary educational systems, which he believed educated students to become good workers, rather than creative thinkers. He advocated instead for a personal approach, one that treats kids as unique individuals with a diversity of talents.
“As I see it, the aims of education are to enable students to understand the world around them and the talents within them so that they can become fulfilled individuals and active, compassionate citizens.”
Sir Ken Robinson, Creative Schools: Revolutionizing Education from the Ground Up
Ken Robinson’s work has heavily influenced our mindset at Spaghetti Bridge where we accept his challenge to change education for the better. We do this through our endeavours to develop and resource our curricula in order to ignite children’s love of learning and prepare them for a 21st century world.
Dan Hughes, Ph.d
“Attachment theory shows how important it is for children’s development that they be able to turn to their caregivers for comfort and support whenever they are in distress.”
Dan Hughes Ph.D – The development of Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, ddpnetwork.org
Dan Hughes, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist with a limited practice in South Portland, Maine. He founded and developed Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP), the treatment of children who have experienced abuse and neglect and who demonstrate ongoing problems related to attachment and trauma. This treatment occurs in a family setting and the treatment model has expanded to become a general model of family treatment. He has spent over 40 years helping children and youth reach their full potential and reconnect with others in their lives.
Further Reading
If you would like to learn more about the work of those who have influenced us, please follow the links below for further reading.