ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Hidden curriculum

Hey buddy, do you know that when you go to school, you don't just learn the things written in your textbook? You also learn other important things without even realizing it! This is called the hidden curriculum.

So, the hidden curriculum is all the things you learn in school that are not taught directly in your classes. These include things like values, behaviors, beliefs, and social norms.

For example, when you go to school, you learn to be punctual by being on time for your classes. You learn to be respectful to your teachers and classmates when you follow their rules and treat them nicely. You also learn how to work in a group when you do group projects or activities. All of these things are not written in your textbooks, but still, you learn them by being in school.

Moreover, the hidden curriculum also teaches you about power dynamics and social hierarchies. When you see your teachers being respected or your classmates being popular, you learn about who has more power and who is less important.

In summary, the hidden curriculum is the thing you learn in school without being explicitly taught. These include values, behavior, and social norms that shape who you are and how you interact with others.