Don’t Sweat the Academics

This great video, was shared with me by my great friend Laurie Strother, a family coach in Alberta, Canada.

The video, called Did You Know, was developed by Karl Fisch and Scott McLeod, and it highlights the top two reasons I chose to homeschool my children:  So they continue to love learning as a lifelong venture, and so they can adapt to an ever changing world.  [Click here to see it bigger in a new window.]

I’m not saying everyone should homeschool - it may not be a viable or desirable option for many families.

I do believe, however, that every parent can support their kids in developing the entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, and self-awareness that will prepare them to THRIVE in the rapidly changing world they’re inheriting.

It is so NOT IMPORTANT that kids learn to memorize facts.  Facts are changing every day - even historical facts are reinterpreted.

What’s most important is that our kids learn how

1. To Learn
2. To ENJOY Learning
3. To Be SELF-MOTIVATED Learners

Raising kids who are self-aware and self-directed learners isn’t all that hard.  THEY COME HERE THAT WAY.

Ever seen a newborn who DOESN’T want to learn to roll over?  A toddler who DOESN’T want to learn to walk?  A kindergartener who DOESN’T want to learn to ride a two-wheeler?

If we don’t push, or prod them with grades and gold stars, kids naturally want to learn to read and do math, too.  Especially if they see older kids and adults doing it.

Wouldn’t you rather have a kid who reads Shakespeare because they want to understand what the folks they care about seem to understand, instead of “because I have to do it for a grade?”

I’ll write more about this in other articles, because I’m so passionate about it, and I’ve seen so much evidence to show that when kids are allowed to learn at their own pace and based on their own interests, they LOVE LEARNING.

And a kid who LOVES LEARNING will quickly adapt to the rapidly evolving knowledge base in the 21st century - making them better equipped to create the fulfilling lives they want.

What do you think?  Share your comments.

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