Headwaters Academy

12/11/2023

When Do We Say 'Too Much Screen Time?'

Children are getting too much screen time. That's a generalization but it's rather obvious.

Their ability to focus has declined. Their ability to self-regulate has declined. Their physical fitness has undeniably declined. Their imagination is boxed in by what they've seen and played in their virtual worlds and the screen is hypoxic to their overall development.

I work with children and I can see it. Easily, and without doubt. And there is no amount of programming that can change that some parents use a screen as a sedative while others do the heavy lifting of engaging with their child.

Schools? Each one equipped with a projector screen. Lunch times with movies. YouTubes as lessons. Slide shows. Music videos to dance to for Daily Physical Activity.

However, educators shouldn't have to take all the blame. When brains are accustomed to the stimulation of the screen how can a whiteboard compare?

"But their friends are online," you'll say. Wouldn't you feel better if you said "their friends are outside."

"But they'll have the technology anyways, so why not now," you'll say as justification. Your children will one day likely have too much to drink as well... do we give them beer for lunch so they're prepared?

"They use it to create and learn... they edit videos, build structures (Minecraft)." Maybe so - but I'll put my child where he can create what others aren't - real things.

Truthfully, there's no excuse. No justification. Get rid of the screens. Your children may not thank you, but they'll be better off.

08/07/2023

"Being released from the screen meant being released back in to life."

A guest post from Ben Holt.

I decided, after six years, that my son would go screen free. This is a post after a month and a half without screens.

07/02/2023

Schooling and education are two very separate things.

Matt Beaudreau writes:

"Schooling will help you find your place in this world. Someone else [there] will always help you find it, but you may not like it. Education shows you how to FORGE your place in this world."

One requires responsibility; with that comes freedom. The other puts the responsibility on someone else; and thereby takes away your freedom.

Schooling and education - they are not the same at all.

06/20/2023

Learning is a consequence of doing. Our school system is making the mistake of thinking it's the other way around, and, in so doing, we are destroying our future generations.

Simon Sarris June 6, 2023 Articles School Is Not Enough Vance Osterhout/Boy using miter saw When I read biographies, early lives leap out the most. Leonardo da Vinci was a studio apprentice to Verrocchio at 14 years old. Walt Disney took on a number of jobs, chiefly delivering papers, by 11. When Vl...

05/18/2023

05/18/2023

Blasting into the May Long weekend...

05/11/2023

We are approaching education in a very different and very new way in September. Don't let finance stop you from investigating our school. This is not to say school will be free - but we do have the ability to work with the right families to make HWA an option.

Who are the right families?

Your child will love to learn. They are not likely to be satisfied with the artificial barriers school places upon their learning. They may be '2E' - this means twice exceptional. Gifted in one area but perhaps behind in another. Alternatively, they may also be quite 'normal'. However, your child has persistence and a definitive 'joie de vivre'.

You are likely a family who has thought about homeschool but it's simply not possible and you realize you don't have the abilities to make the program whole. You are not satisfied with the status quo and you realize that the best education happens when we all work together.

If this describes your family and/or your child, please reach out.

05/10/2023

We have one student who has been with us since early in our second year. He came to us because he was constantly being sent out of class at the local public school due to his curiosity. His constant ‘what if’ questions did not fit a system where the program of study is pre-determined.

Education shouldn’t be like that.

We're seeking the 'razor's edge' children for Fall 2023, regardless of financial ability. Does this describe your child? Reach out to us today.

04/30/2023

There is no value in holding children back from what they can achieve. It has lead to schools full of frustrated, bored, and anxious children. Education and learning are not linear - let's stop treating them as though they are.

Strengths based education looks at a child's strengths and uses those as a leverage point to 'fill in' weaknesses so that children can flourish.

04/29/2023

https://headwatersacademy.ca/the-pan-american-continental-championships/

The difference that an excellent teacher makes is profound, undeniable, and lifelong.

04/25/2023

"Good isn't good enough if better is possible."

Your child's education should fit YOUR child, not vice versa.

The full information package on Headwaters 2023 is now available. We are the ONLY school that will can deliver an education built 100% for YOUR child.

Click here for our info package: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JeKCDpyT4iH7TK4-jDYHLL-ItcZkA_KP/view?usp=sharing

04/21/2023

"It appeared, to everyone, that Sam didn’t have any social skills. He was obviously bright but seemed unable to compromise and extraordinarily self-centered. But I saw something else – I saw a boy desperately trying to do good in a world where he never seemed to be able to do the right thing."

For his gifts he was shamed by others. The harder he tried the harder he failed. He was obviously bright but seemed unable to compromise and extraordinarily self-centered. But I saw something else - I saw a boy desperately trying to do good in a world where he never seemed to be able to do the right...