Well, I actually don't like to be told what to do. BUT, I do think in some certain areas, for example considering safety, it is essential to be able to do tell people, old or young, what to do. Also, we never know enough.
How do you know when you know enough? Well, hopefully you never really know enough and you continue to learn throughout life. I do think that there are natural pauses where you feel compelled to act on what you’ve learned, have time to process, and try things out.
I teach creative writing classes for homeschoolers. I like to give a small bit of guidance, discuss and try it out with the class, and then let them write/draw/think. This cycle repeats with each class. Some children will incorporate the guidance I give immediately, some after a few weeks, and some mostly do their own thing. All of these are okay! In the end, their writing improves over the semester because of the spent time on it, and because they got feedback from other students or me about what they are doing well and what needs improvement.
I think we can avoid duplicating school by allowing children to choose the classes they want to try. They should be there because they have chosen to learn more, as you said, from someone who is an expert or has special knowledge. The teacher should be there to openly share but not to demand any particular thing. Sometimes a child just sits and takes it in. As long as they aren’t unhappy, this is fine, too.
This is a great thought piece. And what I would share is that the people in positions of leadership or power, people I have learned the most from, are those that retain their sense of curiosity, humility, and interest in learning something new. I’d venture to say that that’s actually the characteristic of any good leader, no matter how large or small the group they lead. In my opinion, all other types of leaders are so ultimately selfish and self-centered that they don’t allow the group to reach its potential, and any victory they achieve is quite hollow. A leader who listens is one who is quite radically not power over, but power with. I guess, if you bring a sense of wonder to your work and actions, that’s really the key.
Well, I actually don't like to be told what to do. BUT, I do think in some certain areas, for example considering safety, it is essential to be able to do tell people, old or young, what to do. Also, we never know enough.
How do you know when you know enough? Well, hopefully you never really know enough and you continue to learn throughout life. I do think that there are natural pauses where you feel compelled to act on what you’ve learned, have time to process, and try things out.
I teach creative writing classes for homeschoolers. I like to give a small bit of guidance, discuss and try it out with the class, and then let them write/draw/think. This cycle repeats with each class. Some children will incorporate the guidance I give immediately, some after a few weeks, and some mostly do their own thing. All of these are okay! In the end, their writing improves over the semester because of the spent time on it, and because they got feedback from other students or me about what they are doing well and what needs improvement.
I think we can avoid duplicating school by allowing children to choose the classes they want to try. They should be there because they have chosen to learn more, as you said, from someone who is an expert or has special knowledge. The teacher should be there to openly share but not to demand any particular thing. Sometimes a child just sits and takes it in. As long as they aren’t unhappy, this is fine, too.
Yep. That sounds about right!! My piece was referring to adults more than children but yes, those same principles count for young people too!
This is a great thought piece. And what I would share is that the people in positions of leadership or power, people I have learned the most from, are those that retain their sense of curiosity, humility, and interest in learning something new. I’d venture to say that that’s actually the characteristic of any good leader, no matter how large or small the group they lead. In my opinion, all other types of leaders are so ultimately selfish and self-centered that they don’t allow the group to reach its potential, and any victory they achieve is quite hollow. A leader who listens is one who is quite radically not power over, but power with. I guess, if you bring a sense of wonder to your work and actions, that’s really the key.
Yes to all that!!