deeprootcenter
  • Home
    • Contact
    • Testimonials
    • Guiding Principles
  • About Us
    • Consultations
    • Summer Program
    • DRC Calendar
    • Resources >
      • Liberated Learners Network
  • Get Involved
    • Funding Appeal 2022
    • Donate
    • Sponsor a DRC Kid
    • Thank you
  • Blog

Explore the Possibilities with Us

Donate

Loving Kindness

10/16/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
by Maria Corse

I habitually use the words loving kindness, in conjunction, when I describe what we provide all of our student members at Deep Root Center, not as hyperbole, but as a direct testament to our philosophy and nature.

Why not, simply, say kindness? Kind behavior is what most of us want to receive and what we want our children to learn, it represents politeness, chivalry, caring, respect, and, for some, goodness.

I will contend, however, that our culture (remember the definition: learned behavior) contributes greatly to undermining the very essence of kindness by demanding and directing our children's actions. The following are just a few typical examples: Two kids are playing and one child does not want to share their toy with the other and the adult steps in to insist that the other child have a turn with the toy, instead of allowing the two children to negotiate the details on their own. And, then there is, “go give Aunt Betsy a hug, she hasn't seen you in a long time.” Or, a child is frustrated and strikes out at another and the adult tells the child to go and apologize. The underlying reason for the primary insult is not addressed. The child has only learned that offering that, “I am sorry,” gets them out of exploring the very real and intense emotions that precipitated the action.

A youth's autonomy and free flowing emotion is directly inhibited when adults step in to change the dynamic of any situation by insisting on certain “nice” socially acceptable behaviors or micro-managing their lives. It does not take long before they involuntarily look to someone else for guidance instead of solving their own problems, recognizing the feelings involved, making their own decisions, and taking responsibility for their actions.

In offering loving kindness, on the other hand, we recognize the emotions present in our daily lives. We literally put the “heart” before everything else. At Deep Root Center conversation (see last week's post) and modeling are at the center of every single interaction, whether an informal chat, a scheduled class, or conflict resolution, the dialogue between equals sharing excitement, pain, anger, joy, as well as the mundane, permits everyone in the space to feel real emotion, solve problems, make important choices, and, maybe, even learn compassion and empathy along the way.

Picture







​​


DRC NEWS


Haunted House:

October 29th, after Canton's Phantoms in the Park Event – all the young phantoms are invited to Deep Root Center's Haunted House for ages 6+. There will also be a designated fun zone for the younger set with toys and story time as well as a spooky space all their own. Face painting and Halloween crafts will be available for all ages. Please spread the word!

Volunteers:

DRC is still looking for folks to assist with hands-on projects. If you are a craft maven or woodworker and would like to spend sometime with some awesome kids, please get in touch.

Reminder:
​

Youth can leave school to take charge of their education and become members of DRC anytime during the year. We are here for those who are ready now.

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Don't miss a post!

    Sign-up here to get the DRC Blog delivered to your inbox.

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013

Picture
© 2023 Whole Learners, Inc. 501(c)3
Deep Root Center
48 Riverside Drive, Canton, NY 13617

​315*244*3034/maria@deeprootcenter.org
  • Home
    • Contact
    • Testimonials
    • Guiding Principles
  • About Us
    • Consultations
    • Summer Program
    • DRC Calendar
    • Resources >
      • Liberated Learners Network
  • Get Involved
    • Funding Appeal 2022
    • Donate
    • Sponsor a DRC Kid
    • Thank you
  • Blog