09/11/2020
We all WANT our children to be intensely curious about the world.
We WANT them to be deeply interested in something and 'follow it down a rabbit hole'.
We WANT them to be motivated to work on projects they are passionate and excited about.
But they're not. And it's frustrating. And we wonder why they are idle and have no drive or ambition.
But I know why. And I'll tell you...
It's because we -- or at least the 'system' -- have killed their love of learning, so they figure, "Why bother?"
"Why bother pursuing what I'm interested in? I'll just have to stop doing it to do my math or turn in my assignments."
"Why bother getting excited about a big project? Mom and dad will just tell me it costs too much or it's unrealistic or it's a waste of time or that I can't "dive that deep" because I have school to do."
Humans naturally learn best when they are "actively striving to explore and to master their world rather than passively reacting to forces impinging upon them from the outside."
"Laboratories of learning" should simulate the conditions of the outside world as much as possible, and be a place where "students and mentors alike find both personal fulfillment and social well-being in their daily activity."
And as much as we may believe in or WANT these things for our kids, do we actually act on them?
Do we let them take the art class instead of biology?
Do we let them dive deep into the project they're interested in? Or do we make them stop so they can 'do school'?
We've even had parents tell us, "My child wants to take your online Habits of a Successful Life class but it conflicted with their math class."
I get it. You want them to take the required classes so they can 'graduate' (whatever that means).
But why?
What's the point?
"To possess a world of knowledge and lose one's own self is an awful fate of school."
Dewey taught that learning takes place when active intent is involved -- that happens when a child CHOOSES to be involved in something because it interests them. But if they do something because they're told to or have to, they become passive. Real learning does NOT take place in that state of mind.
Education means to 'draw out' -- as opposed to 'pouring in' information, requirements, expectations, 'shoulds'. Education is more about 'self-realization' than it is about knowledge or information.
If we want to 'draw out' our children so they develop their potential and become self-aware, then we have to stop 'shoulding' all over them.
We have to allow them to decide what they will learn and how -- because that is a part of the process of self-development. This approach to education makes individual growth its sole aim.
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"School itself should be made a genuine form of active community life, instead of a place set apart in which to learn lessons." -- John Dewey, The School and the Society
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"Acquiring this or that information is not the whole of the matter... the acquiring of various kinds of information is only one, but NOT the chief of the necessities of education -- it's central aim is the building of the powers of the human mind and spirit and the formation and evoking of will, power, character, and culture." -- Sri Aurobindo and The Mother on Education
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Teens today are numb to their own desires and interests -- and sleep in, are idle, lack responsibility and drive (not to mention they 'fail to launch') because they've been 'should' all over.
"You 'should' do this. You 'should' do that."
Too much 'should'.
And not enough WHY.
"The WHY of things are extremely important." -- Elon Musk
When a teen comes ALIVE with passion for their purpose, mission, and projects of their choosing, it's a beautiful thing and it's what education is really about --
Lighting a fire of passion for growth and learning. Not filling a bucket (their head).
Are we crazy to say let's forget about grades, test scores, & diplomas?
Maybe.
But maybe we're not so crazy after all.
Especially if this approach helps students to COME ALIVE...
..and to actually thrive in an uncertain future that none of us can predict, where our kids will have 'jobs' that don't even exist yet using technology that hasn't been invented.
If you would like to discuss these ideas with us and head 'down the rabbit hole' in a 'big thinking' conversation about education...
Then reserve your spot here and join us FREE for all five sessions (recordings will be available if you can't make it live).
https://courses.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/courses/homeschool-home-education-coaching?ref=71f3d2
** September 14th @ 1 pm EST -- Stop Killing Your Homeschool's Love of Learning
** September 15th @ 6 pm EST -- Education Is About MORE Than Just Academics! Learn How to Set Your Kids on Fire With Growth, Creativity & Innovation!
** September 16th @ 1 pm EST -- Help Your Teens' Take OWNERSHIP of Their Education!
** September 21st @ 11 am EST -- Help Your Teens Prepare for a Future You Can't Predict
** September 23rd @ 11 am EST -- Teach Your Teens to Gain Real-World Experience Instead of a Degree or Diploma
