Vivid and Making Special as a Challenge for Education in the Age of Anthropocene

Authors

• Sara Sintonen Helsingin yliopisto

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33350/ka.111656

Keywords:

vivid, making special, matter, materiality, education, Anthropocene

Abstract

It is intriguing to consider how we can support the framing of material experiences as an element of growth through education. Growth in this context is not based on human-centered qualities or abilities but rather takes into account the observations of children's unique, vivid specialties and the means of making them special. These specialties are sensory experiences, which can help us move away from an anthropocentric worldview. From the perspective of education, ”special” is defined as something essential, meaningful and interesting that a child wants to be around, near, or with, and chooses to spend time with, feel, and experience. However, this calls for a concept of the vivid as entwining and emerging with matter in events that, despite repetition, are dynamic, changeable, and relational, and are not always motivated by human aspirations and needs.