@article{3478033, title = "Solitude in the school: A neglected facet of children’s development and education", author = "Evangelia Galanaki", journal = "Childhood Education", year = "2005", volume = "81", number = "3", pages = "128-132", publisher = "Taylor & Francis", issn = "0009-4056, 2162-0725", doi = "https://doi.org/10.1080/00094056.2005.10522255", keywords = "solitude, attitude towards aloneness, children, school, education", abstract = "Children can be familiarized with solitude experiences in the school through such practices as peacefulness and relaxation, silence, self-reflection and introspection, self-expression and creativity-all in the context of a “present,” supportive, security-facilitating, and neutral educator with functional aloneness-related beliefs. The implementation of such practices is not easy and requires a lot of sophistication and personal work on the part of the educator. In pursuing this task, however, the educator should consider the long-term benefits of the cultivation of solitude. For example, as seen from the literature review, a principal developmental aim-identity exploration during adolescence is facilitated by the positive attitude toward aloneness (Goossens & Marcoen, 1999); in addition, the benefits of solitude articulated by children themselves (Galanaki, 2004a) are very similar to the benefits of solitude identified by adults (Long et al., 2003). Thus, promotion of solitude that is based on interpersonal and social exchanges does not constitute a paradox and is nothing to be afraid of; school should prepare children for autonomous and creative living." }