You can watch the video based on this post
https://youtu.be/q3J_uoeBa8A?si=4lgsXH2xrvBqMmHq
Who was Martin Buber? Martin Buber was an influential Jewish philosopher known for his philosophy of dialogue and his exploration of the nature of relationships, particularly in his seminal works “I and Thou” and “Man to Man.”
Why am I talking about Martin Buber? I came across Buber’s approach while doing my certificate of Educational Research, leading to PhD and other research degrees. As an online tertiary teacher, I was also interested in learning about Buber’s dialogical learning approach to online discussions. And one day I thought, he must have said something about early childhood education too. I was right!
Dialogue and Existence. Beware, Buber was a philosopher, hence his complex language at times. One of the key ideas of Buber can be summarised as dialogue or encounter. Buber wrote a book called “I and Thou,” where he introduced his thesis on human existence, drawing inspiration from Feuerbach’s “The Essence of Christianity” and Kierkegaard’s “Single One” (yep, I had to study these texts as part of my philosophy degree – haha). He conceptualised existence as an encounter, using the word pairs of Ich-Du and Ich-Es to categorise modes of consciousness, interaction, and being. For us, as educators, it can be simplified as education is also an encounter between the child and the world, child and nature, child and educator.
The I-Thou Relationship. Buber was born in Vienna, hence German terms. Ich-Du (“I-Thou” or “I-You”) is a relationship that emphasises the mutual, holistic existence of two beings. It is a concrete encounter where individuals meet in their authentic existence, without objectifying one another. Buber stressed that an Ich-Du relationship lacks composition and communicates no content, highlighting examples such as two lovers, an observer and a cat, or the author and a tree. If we simplify it, he encourages educators to pay attention to children to ensure that this encounter (dialogue, meeting each other) happens. I found this idea very relevant to the early childhood context, e.g. in bush kinder children may view nature as an object or have a meeting (encounter) with it, like the child in the photo I shared.
The Ich-Es Relationship: The Ich-Es (“I-It”) relationship treats beings as objects to be used and experienced. It is a monologue where the “I” confronts and qualifies an idea or conceptualisation of the being, rather than encountering it directly. Buber argued that humans swing between Ich-Du and Ich-Es, with the latter dominating in modernity. What can we do as educators? To be aware of the modern trend and try to be present for children. Try to have an authentic connection with them, when they tell you about their weekend, their interests, and their thoughts. In a busy classroom environment it is hard to truly listen to children, so making time to pay attention (for example, during one-on-one time during quiet play, shared book reading or slow routines) is very important. Catch yourself doing a “monologue” kind of teaching and think about how you can switch to the “dialogue” kind of teaching.
Relationality and Development. Buber’s philosophy of dialogue aligns with contemporary theories of early childhood development, as he talks about the important role of secure emotional bonds between children and their caregivers for healthy socio-emotional development. The teacher plays an important role and we need to have unique qualities, according to Buber. It is not just a job, it is a profession and a calling. Hence, loaded with moral obligations and commitment. Do you agree?
Let’s apply it to Early Childhood Education. In early childhood education, educators can foster Ich-Du (I-You) relationships by engaging authentically with children, valuing their perspectives, and creating an environment of mutual respect and empathy. Be present, pay attention, and listen to the children – as simple as that. Acknowledge children as unique beings and actively listen to their voices, as this promotes genuine dialogue and interpersonal connection. Can you see the link to the principle of the EYLF – responsive respectful relationships with children and Quality area 5 of the NQS – relationships with children?
“All real living is meeting.”
― Martin Buber, I and Thou
Creating Nurturing Environments in Early Childhood Education. Educators should strive to minimise Ich-Es (I – Thou or monologic) relations in education, recognising the value of each child. We have to do everything possible to create space for genuine dialogue and connection. By promoting Ich-Du (I – you) encounters, educators create nurturing environments where children feel valued and empowered to engage authentically with their world.
“Play is the exultation of the possible.”
― Martin Buber
Several educational theorists share similarities with Martin Buber in their emphasis on relationality, dialogue, and the importance of genuine human interaction in education.
- Lev Vygotsky https://youtu.be/gxvIoZ_skXE?si=q_9dIlC78k7Rt5_R
- Paulo Freire https://youtu.be/fMTPGKuamNc?si=jr1rsS2QEJAnsGfG