Non-violent education

How can we foster self-esteem, autonomy, self-discipline, and resilience in ourselves and our children? This is the question that Nonviolent Education aims to answer. In an empathetic and caring way, Elisama addresses these and other sensitive topics for us, mothers and fathers. She shows that nonviolent education goes beyond intrafamily relationships, while also demonstrating the importance of looking at ourselves with more care and openness.

Drawing on her experience as a nonviolent communication (NVC) and conscious communication consultant, parenting educator, and mother of two, Elisama Santos proposes a conversation with parents who want to build relationships and learning based on respect and dialogue—and who want to foster self-esteem, autonomy, self-discipline, and resilience in themselves and their children. The idea is that the process of knowledge construction becomes positive when it occurs through empathy and critical reflection.

Thus, the author presents concepts that can help parents and children to come closer, connecting with their own feelings and communicating them to each other in an objective and respectful way: nonviolent communication, by Marshall Rosenberg; mindfulness, from Zen Buddhism; positive discipline, by Jane Nelsen; and emotional intelligence, by Daniel Goleman.

Nonviolent education is an alternative to the authoritarian culture that justifies the use of violence and repression as an educational method. It seeks paths toward a more compassionate and comprehensive education, believing it is possible to educate children with conscience, so that future generations can reap the benefits of a more loving and just world.

"Elisama Santos wrote the antithesis of the easy self-help book: she leaves questions to be answered by individual human stories, respecting subjectivities, which are our greatest treasure." - Alexandre Coimbra Amaral, psychologist on the program Encontro com Fátima Bernardes

Nonviolent education is a gift for parents and children.