Agency

At birth, we each have a distinct and unique blueprint for who we are and what we are good at - built inside. That innate plan often goes awry when parents, teachers, and the culture - we are born into determines our educational path.  

Children frequently feel unheard and unbearably frustrated when they realize that those who love and nurture them - ignored, didn't understand, or straight-up sabotaged their inherent genius. Mostly accomplished in the guise of, "but we know what is best for you."  "This is how it has always been done."  "We have to follow the rules." Or, "why can't you just fit in?"

At this point, the behaviors triggered by their resentment grow into "obstructions" to "real" learning, which initiates the traumatic experiences that determine future beliefs about learning and education. If this series of events has not happened by the age of 5 or 6, it will by the time they are 9 or 10 years old. And if not addressed, the teen years are bound to be pure hell for them - and anyone who loves them.

But, you ask, how will I know what my child's "genius" is? Quite simply - pure observation. Watch what draws their attention and what they are proficient at from a very early age. Provide resources and materials and multiple modalities for endless free play and exploration. Then sit back (get the hell out of the way) and let the magic of curiosity and the excitement of independent discovery take over. Kids will inherently solve problems and challenges when they pop up because they have not been taught to fear the inevitable mistakes derived from experimentation. Adult intervention isn't a requirement for learning. It happens naturally. And it does not turn off at the age of 4 or 5!

We see this every day. It takes practice and a fair amount of trust to provide the resources and space where kids feel safe to unleash all that creativity, inspiration, and pure joy of independence and discovery.

Agency allows for confident problem solvers who love to learn new things. When given the opportunity to follow their interests and the goals based on those interests - instead of a predetermined rigid curriculum, or society's expectations, these kids understand their place in the world. And that, ultimately, serves us all.

Scenes from this past week.

Weekly Creative Meditation

DRC News

You guessed it - DRC-East fundraising activities continue to be the lead story. We are finishing up the Tastefully Simple online fundraiser today. Next up is Pampered Chef. The link will be available on the DRC & DRC-East FB pages as soon as it is up and running. We also encourage you to join the Support DRC-East FB Group.

They are also holding a bottle drive. In addition to the site on the below poster, you can drop off bags of empty and clean bottles at Barney's Wagon Wheel Bar (huge shout of thanks to them) in Malone or at DRC-Canton - 48 Riverside Drive in the driveway in front of the garage. 

We are still looking for vendors and musicians for the May 21st Party in the Park. Please share this opportunity with your network.