Presumed Competence

Every time DRC attends a community-centered event, like the Kid Expo this past weekend, we have a table filled with arts and crafts materials that children can use to create to their heart's content. There are no examples or instructions, just a bunch of art supplies and an open invitation for kids to use them in whatever way they want. 

It never ceases to amaze me how, in most cases, their adults try to take over (control the artistic process) or rush them along to get to the next activity. My other observation is as concerning and definitely related - many kids by a certain age (9, 10, or 11) say they are bad at art and refuse to try. They have internalized the broader message that their creativity isn't good enough or acceptable or that it isn't valuable in the larger scheme of life. Or even more worrying are their attempts to hide (bury) their authentic selves by denying their artistic abilities to fit in.

Peter Gray, the developmental psychologist and author of Free to Learn, comes at this conundrum from the perspective that parents feel obligated to over-protect and manage their children because of societal norms and fear. Read one of his Substack letters that directly addresses this - here.  

I firmly believe that creativity, curiosity, and a desire for autonomy are fundamental components of childhood (indeed, our whole lives) and need to be honored. Kids are born with the compulsion to create - put a crayon, marker, or paintbrush in a toddler's hand, let them sit down in the mud puddle or sandbox, give them a ball of dough, a pile of Lego (DUPLO), or wooden blocks and stand back and watch the magic. Their end products might not look like what you think they should - but through play and experimentation, they are making essential connections and learning about themselves and the world through the materials and the process, which is the whole point.

This leads me to the first of seven truths (principles) in our foundational philosophy of self-directed learning, brilliantly expressed by Ken Danford and his team at North Star.

Young people want to learn.
Human beings are learning creatures. We do not have to persuade babies to be curious and to seek competence and understanding. The same can be true of youth. Rather than trying to motivate them, we support their basic human drive to learn and grow. Where obstacles – internal or external - have gotten in the way of this intrinsic drive, we focus on helping youth overcome or remove these obstacles.

Yes! Kids are competent! With available tools, materials, and enthusiastic support - they can accomplish whatever they want to. It may not be perfect, finished, or even "pretty," but it is theirs, and they have learned how to persist through the inherent mistakes, mess, and frustration found during the creative process. This is the "grit" that detractors are so fond of pronouncing is missing in our youth.  

The pure joy of imagining, exploring, playing, creating, making a mess, and learning should persist for our entire lives - but is often cut short by criticism, the demand to get "serious," or the incessant messages that bombard us to appear "normal."  

That is just one of many reasons you will find me out here modeling playfulness, celebrating my "weirdness" and innate ability to get messy, all the while cheering on "my" DRC kiddos as they explore the boundaries of their creativity and authentic selves.

DRC News

The Canton Crew had another busy week, and we actually got some photographic evidence! Among many activities and projects, our writer's workshop peeps met with Abhainn, our SLU volunteer, for the last time on Monday to firm up the story part of their Digby Picture book. Then, they met on their own to develop the storyboard (combining the components of the written story with the planned drawing for each page). Stay tuned as the creative team produces the art and begins to compile the book.

Some of our die-hard winter lovers went sledding (probably for the last time) on the little bit of ice and snow left in our front yard.

Our Little Free Library is getting a much-needed makeover. Our artists will narrow down the themes they brainstormed and get it painted this coming week. We hope to have it back up by Thursday.

We also welcomed a new teen to our crew on Tuesday, and on Thursday, reporter Tom Graser came out to hang with us for a bit and interview us for a story for the Plain Dealer and WDT. Keep an eye out for those.

Janine reports that the Pop-up Peeps had a great time at the Norwood and Massena Libraries this past week. Two of them went out on Wednesday and purchased baked treats from the Norwood News Cafe for everyone, and they had some deep and thoughtful discussions covering a variety of topics each day.

Next week they will be at both libraries again - Norwood on Wednesday (3/16) and Massena Thursday (3/17). 

We cannot begin to express how grateful we are for our Pop-up Hosts. They are the only reason we can continue this program! Thank you!

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Women’s History
In solidarity with all women, including the courageous women of the Ukraine, DRC is honoring several inspiring voices to Celebrate Women's History Month.

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Fundraiser

The Raffle ends on Monday - don't miss out on your opportunity to win $100 worth of NYS Lotto tickets. Thank you to everyone who has already purchased tickets.

Raffle

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Grant News

Thank you to the Stewart's shops for two recent donations. The first was a $300 check supporting DRC's Healing Through Mentoring & Creative Expression Project. And the second was a $250 check from their Annual Holiday Match to support purchasing food for our cooking classes and daily lunch program.