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

The Miscalculated Value of the Quiet Spaces

7/25/2021

 
I firmly believe that each of us is born with an enormous capacity for creativity.  No, not all of us can be (nor want to be) fine artists.  Nonetheless, we all have the potential to be imaginative problem solvers. And, innate curiosity is the driver.  

Most of us (I am just assuming here) have sat and watched a newborn baby – stare at their own hands, reach for the light, and search the depths of the eyes looking into theirs.  There is a deep knowing, as well as a seemingly unquenchable wondering in their gaze.  

As they get older, that curiosity becomes a bit more “troublesome.”  They begin to physically explore their world – scooching on their bellies, crawling, then cruising, toddling, and eventually climbing and running.  With an honest intention of keeping children safe and “making sure," adults are culturally trained to control all that natural exploration and self-discovery. We give commands such as:  "Be careful!" “Pay attention and stop daydreaming!" Thereby stopping them from attempting “dangerous” activities, as well as eroding their confidence and desire to go within their quiet spaces - where inspiration is born and resides.
 
Sadly, kids lose most of their natural self assurance, curiosity, and motivation as an unintentional consequence of hyper-vigilance.

I have spoken of this concept many times before.  But lately, we have had several families with younger kids scope out DRC as a viable alternative.  Which has given me the opportunity to think about how much I adore the energy and lightness that emanates from the 5, 6, & 7-year-olds of the world. They have not yet learned to be afraid of asking big questions, experimenting, making mistakes, and being wrong. They are like puppies, following their noses and instincts and tripping over the feet they haven’t quite grown into.

Yet, within all that seeming chaos, they do not fear sitting still and going inside their own heads to explore the quiet spaces.  It is where the brilliant ideas pop in and where they may discover an interest they previously were unaware of.  

Traveling into this still place, within, is when each of us, no matter our age, quite literally, builds brain cells.  Some of us need more time for introspection than others.  But, no matter how much you, personally, require, it is a necessary component that is lacking from most of our lives.  

I believe we have seen an uptick in families with younger kids seek us out because many understand that traditional schools do not support or value natural creativity and the quiet spaces.  Therefore, they are adamant that they do not want that for their children. 

Picture


DRC News


The DRC Exploration Station Suite of extended services include Summer programming as well as late Afternoon Programs for children who attend local schools.  Check it out here.

Picture

DRC is hiring a part-time position at the Canton facility to start Sept. 7th. No specific training is required. This exciting opportunity is for anyone who already embraces the self-directed educational philosophy or is ready to learn the principles of practicing it as a mentor and facilitator in our dynamic learning environment.

If you are excited about exploring the possibilities with us - DM or email our Executive Director - maria@deeprootcenter.org, to learn more.  Please share this opportunity widely.

Picture

Comments are closed.
    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