Trusting Our Kids

10/8/2023

Over the next few weeks, I will focus on self-directed, free-range educational philosophy - unless I get distracted (pissed off) by something and go off-topic to rant about it (like that ever happens).

Today, I start with trust.

Every child is capable (period - full-stop). Trusting that they each know themselves thoroughly and understand what they need to thrive, with the ability to seek those things out and follow through, is the foundation on which self-directed learning philosophy is built.

Our culture leads us to believe the opposite. It is ingrained in our practices and system. Kids are empty vessels meant to be filled up by adults who are keepers of knowledge. They are lazy and will do the very least they can get away with and will only do something for a reward or to avoid punishment.

Without that inherent trust in children - education becomes teacher-led, not self-directed. Though many are Progressive Educational programs, they are not the same. ( Peter Gray, a developmental psychologist, explains this concept beautifully here in this article from Psychology Today.)

This is about the point I hear all the "buts."

But how will they learn everything they need to know in today's world?
But my child isn't self-directed.
But won't they just play games all day?
But, math, reading...
But, College...

These are my responses...

We are not preparing kids for today's world - we have zero idea of what the world will look like when they are ready to go out into it on their own. We do know that they will need problem-solving skills, along with an abundance of creativity and curiosity. And they will need to know how to think for themselves and have practical skills (common sense).
Your child may not be self-directed now - (mostly) because they never had the chance to be. Once given the opportunity, they will learn how to trust themselves and seek out and ask for the information that is important to them.
So! No, really, so? Once they do that, for a while (as long as they need), they will naturally want to move on to something else. Most of us neurodivergent folks understand this on a keen level - we have something, often classified as an obsession, that we do until we don't need to do it anymore because we have figured it out, learned something, and are ready for the next step, or are just sick of it and ready to move on (to the next obsession).
This is the big one - but once you understand that kids are naturally curious learners, you will notice how they "get" math concepts innately and how they gravitate to words, language, and communication (we know that most learn how to speak on their own). And when kids are exposed to a wildly diverse, rich environment filled with everyday resources and people who support their curiosity about the world, they happily engage (play) with them on their own initiative - because they are interested - not because they are forced. And when kids discover these things on their own - they stick.
Self-directed kids go to college - if they want. It goes back to my earlier point - kids will learn what they are most interested in. Motivation is driven by their desire to go to college, go into the trades or become artists, or musicians, or game designers, or coders, or... They will take on the hard things - because they know they need to accomplish it to get to the next step.

Trusting kids means putting aside our expectations and dreams for them. We cannot live our lives through theirs. They get to have their own, make mistakes, and follow their own aspirations and goals. When given the opportunity - they will delight us with their unique journey.

Weekly Creative Meditation

This DRC True Story highlights several important components of self-directed learning. Firstly, is the importance of a multi-age environment where kids are learning from each other. Next is the amazing self- confidence - they know when they are good at something and are willing to share that knowledge. And the last thing I will highlight is that playing at something is how kids (we all) learn.

DRC News

This week we had a few pieces of good news in terms of our fundraising efforts.
Thank you to the Potsdam Walmart for funding our Community Grant Request with a $500.00 check. We are grateful for their continued support of our programs.

And enormous gratitude to Boyden Brook Body Works in Canton for providing a sponsorship of $1250.00. Their commitment to doing good work and supporting our local community is inspiring.

Both of these checks will offset some of the $200,000.00 in fee reductions we offer each year to our student members and their families. And will allow us to keep our promise to accept any child who needs us no matter their family’s financial situation

In other Fundraising News:

Our October Raffle is live! Thank you to Board member and East Parent, Tiffanie Jacob for printing and distributing the tickets. The drawing is October 31st. Purchase your ticket from any DRC family or get in touch with either Karen or Maria.

Jamboree News

Save the date: Oct. 28th from 12-6 (or until we are done) - DRC families will be holding a Jamboree at the Canton VFW to benefit DRC.

Featuring: Ron Kirkpatrick & George Dodds - with Josh & Valerie Kirkpatrick, Carter Houk, Fiddle champion, Don Woodcock, Jay Seymour, and several other NoCo musicial legends, including DRC's very own Chris Raymo and his son Christian.

The event will include a food concession, DRC kids and their Etsy store creations, a silent auction, and a Halloween Party for the younger set including a "Trunk or Treat" opportunity, face painting, an arts and crafts table and the opportunity to play with Lego, wooden blocks, and assorted toys.

If you have something you would be willing to donate for our silent auction - please let us know.

We are looking forward to partying with our NoCo friends and raising some serious dollars for DRC!

And finally some photos from the week.

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