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I have the extreme privilege of watching kids learn by exploring their interests through free play, imagination, and creativity, following their curiosity and the resulting experimentation, mistakes, and successes. I witness the intricacies of developing relationships and the natural chaos that ensues when varying (and very much differing) personalities work things out (with occasional reminders about respect and kindness). Additionally, I observe kids trying things sometimes for the first time, failing, and succeeding - from filling a dishwasher (Do you really think that bowl will get clean sitting upright filled with food remnants on top of the other dishes?) to generating a menu for the week based on the food in the freezer, working out a division problem, wielding a hammer to build a cabin, or mopping up the mud they tracked into the kitchen on their boots. So, when I go out into the real world to explain what we do at DRC and why we are successful, I am somehow still surprised by the questions rooted in our cultural understanding of education. Even though they have seen the results, many still can't wrap their heads around the concept of - no grades, no tests, no homework, no compulsory attendance or classes, and the absolute trust we have in the natural learning process for every child. As I told the group of professionals I spoke with on Wednesday - our chief concern as a society should be happy, thriving kids. Because we have all been around unhappy kiddos - and know all too well how they can suck the life force out of any room. I should have added - that supporting kids to know themselves (inside and out), including having a keen understanding of how they learn, being excited about exploring and discovering new things and becoming well-versed in problem-solving and basic life skills - is how we get those happy kids. All of the rest will naturally follow. Forcing a child to sit through a math (history, science, English, etc.) class doesn't mean they will learn any of those things. Don't even get me started on the over-the-top ridiculous fear-mongering ads touting the STEM project and activity kits you can purchase and then shepherd (hand-hold) your child/infant through so they will "love learning/science/etc." When the "lessons" are optional and relevant to each individual, and we come to them from a place of excitement and wonder, only then will they gain stickiness and find their permanent place in our brains. Stickiness is how we explained the cohesion of water molecules in Kitchen Sink Science on Friday when each kid placed water droplets on their penny with a pipette and watched them bubble up on top. They understood that the water molecules really like each other (are best buds) and stick together like magnets to create surface tension. That tension between the questions (really wanting to know), the joy of exploration, and the actual discovery is the precise junction where the love of learning is ignited. We trust that it all happens naturally - without adult manipulation (tricks, rewards, or punishment) or coercion. DRC News  KP finished our Thank You, Tree Mural. We installed a fundraising thermometer and added the names of businesses and individuals who have contributed more than $1000 in the past year. Our thermometer is resting at a bit over $17,000 for this year, with a goal of $25,000. To be clear this money immediately becomes part of our working budget. We do not have the luxury of a "rainy day" fund - every dollar that comes in is earmarked for all of the everyday expenses that come with running a not-for-profit. You can change lives and help us raise that last $8,000 and have your name added to the Thank you Tree. Learn more here.
Thank you to DRC-Massena Parent, Board Member, and professional photographer Tiffanie Jacob of Hi-Res Poetry Photography, for once again taking our official pictures for the year-end memory books. She was in Canton on Thursday and Friday and will be at the Massena Center next week. Both Centers enjoyed a very busy week.
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