From the author: I actually like the book about Mary Poppins. There's a lot to think about. ANTI-PEDAGOGY FROM MARY POPPINS Why did I decide to write about Mary Poppins? For no apparent reason. Not out of personal antipathy. Simply because this work is good illustrative material on which you can analyze various pedagogical techniques and reflect on the degree of their effectiveness. And yes, I am absolutely one hundred percent aware that the book was written in completely different socio-economic conditions, in another country and at a different time. It does not matter to me. It doesn’t matter because we are reading stories about Mary Poppins now. I have no intention of condemning Mary Poppins. She is a product of a different culture. And if I sometimes involuntarily condemn her, it is not at all to say that she is a bad nanny. I use her image so that we, parents, can look at ourselves from the outside. That is, this article is not really about Mary Poppins. Mary Poppins is a remedy. And the main object of analysis is our behavior, the behavior of modern parents. The image of Mary Poppins in the public consciousness is the ideal of a nanny whom children adore. But if you pay attention to her pedagogical techniques, it becomes creepy and scary. What are these techniques? Mary Poppins intimidates and threatens, does not answer questions, mocks, ironizes and belittles. At the same time, she is inconsistent, shifts responsibility from herself to the children, and in general it is not always clear who is an adult and who is a child in this story. So, Mary Poppins threatens. And regularly. And in certain situations. For example, when they ask her questions: “You won’t leave us, right?” - Michael repeated. Mary Poppins' head appeared above her nightgown. She looked very fierce. “One more word from this area,” she said threateningly, “and I’ll call a policeman!” This method of influencing children works. When Mary Poppins doesn't want to answer questions or wants to be left alone, she prefers to use her power over the children. For example, she says: “And if I hear one more question, we'll go straight home.” And the children fall silent. Comfortable. Authority based not on respect, but on fear... After all, it is indeed in the power of the nanny to take the children home. Do you remember the chapter in which Mary Poppins takes the children to visit Uncle Wig? Along the way, Mary Poppins pauses at the window of a tobacco store to look at herself from all sides. I wonder, knowing Mary Poppins (and we already know her quite well from the books), what she would say if Jane or Michael were stuck in front of a mirrored display case. I think something like: “Well, how long will we continue to look at ourselves?” Or even, snorting (and Mary often snorts): “Incredibly beautiful, isn’t it?” Or something like: “Yes, there is something to see!” Yes, yes, that’s what Mary usually says about others. And, probably, somewhere deep down in her soul she is embarrassed and a little ashamed of looking at herself in the mirror for a long time. And in order to disguise her embarrassment, when she finally looks up from the display case, she sternly says to the children: “Come on,” as if they were the ones who detained her... Mary masterfully knows how to shift the blame from herself to others. Of course, Perfection Itself cannot be to blame. Now let us turn to the chapter dedicated to Edward. Remember? Edward is the little dog of Miss Lark, the Banks' neighbor on Cherry Lane. Let's consider two small situations. - Phew! - Michael said one day as he and Jane watched Edward through the hedge that separated Number Seventeen from the neighboring house. - Ugh! He's just a nonentity! - How do you know? - asked Jane, very interested. - I know because dad called him that this morning. - He is not a nonentity at all! - said Mary Poppins. - And period! It is absolutely obvious that there is only one correct point of view. And Mary Poppins doesn't bother with arguments. It doesn’t matter to her that she indirectly speaks disparagingly about the father of her charges. In her picture of the world, only she deserves respect - Lady Perfection. She could explain to the children why notconsiders Edward a nonentity. But she doesn't do this. The mayor generally tries not to bother himself with unnecessary conversations with children. Remember how Miss Enryu said that children should be silent and do what she says? Yes, and Miss Andrew also believed that she knew everything better than anyone and everyone should listen to her. Mary Poppins doesn't say this directly, but she implies it. And, indeed, everything happens the way Mary Poppins wants. So, Mary prefers not to answer questions and not explain anything. - What did he say? - the guys asked in unison. - Just like that, various trifles... - answered Mary Poppins and pursed her lips so tightly, as if she had firmly decided not to let a single word out of her mouth. All you could hear was John and Barbara cooing in the stroller. “No, it’s not nothing!” - Michael blurted out. - Not just like that! - Jane supported. “Well, of course, you know better!” As always! - Mary Poppins said contemptuously. “He probably asked you where someone lives,” Michael began. “Well, if you know it yourself, why pester me with questions?” - Mary Poppins snorted. “I’m not an encyclopedia!” “Michael,” Jane whispered, “she won’t tell us anything if you talk like that.” Please, Mary Poppins, tell us what Edward told you, please! - Ask him! He knows - Mr. Know-It-All! - said Mary Poppins, nodding angrily towards Michael. Children constantly have to please Mary so that she doesn’t get angry, try to predict her mood and desires. What do they get in return? Ridicule and contempt, resentment and disappointment. If you asked too much - as a result, a stream of irritation is directed at you, made an assumption - you will receive contempt for your initiative. Do you still sympathize with Mary Poppins? How does she teach children good manners? No, she doesn’t prompt and it’s not at all in her character to explain patiently. She judges, blames and gets angry. That's all education is. Don’t believe me? “How many times,” she said grumpily, “how many times, I wonder, have I told you that you need to take off your coat when you enter a warm room?” Read Mary’s phrase again. The key thing in it is “how many times, I wonder, have I told you.” This phrase contains both evil irony and an emphasis on Mary’s personality. Anything but attention to the ward. Agree that it would be better to construct a phrase without these words. For example, you could say: “When you enter a warm room, you need to take off your coat,” or simply: “Take off your coat, it’s warm in here.” But this is not in the rules of Mary Poppins. How do you like the story of Mary Poppins’ birthday, which was celebrated at the zoo? Michael and Jane were pulled out of their beds and invited to the zoo. They dressed in a hurry and on their own (and they were not used to this, since nannies always helped them). And when Michael and Jane came up to congratulate Mary Poppins, she did towards them (the guests!) what is usually called “bad taste” or “bad manners.” Mary Poppins did not move. But she spoke. “Why did you show up without a coat, I’d like to know?” - she asked sternly, looking at Michael angrily, but without any surprise. -Where are your hat and gloves? - she turned to Jane in the same tone. Instead of thanking them for coming, praising them for their courage, she immediately criticizes the children. Actually, throughout the book we see that only a few deserve Mary’s respect. She respects Mrs. Corry and the only person she clearly values ​​is her cousin, King Cobra...The irony and humor of Mary Poppins is very unique. When you re-read Mary’s dialogue with the children, you get the feeling that she enjoys her power over them and increases her self-esteem at their expense. A little strange for someone who considers himself Perfection Himself. It turns out that somewhere deep down in her soul Mary doesn’t feel this, otherwise why would she belittle the children? “Mary Poppins, you said we’re going for gingerbread, but the opposite is true for the candy store,” she began, but fell silent. Mary Poppins looked at her. “Who is tasked with doing the shopping—me or you?” she asked. “You,” Jane answered very.