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Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Some Education on Education

This clip is from a Canadian TV program so I have no idea what educational reform or revolution it is they mention in the beginning. Here in the US public school system, it seems we are stuck doing the same ol', same ol'. The clip indirectly addresses where our current system came from and it's limitations. You will probably also hear in there the limitations of Common Core, and come to understand the thinking behind some of it, though none of that is directly addressed either. But it was a great discussion and I felt it could be helpful to parents taking the job of education on themselves - to understand what has been emphasized in the past and how and why some of that may be changing.

Enjoy! Let me know what you liked from the clip and why in the comments below!

Monday, June 2, 2014

A Mother's Instinct and the Power of Play to Change Lives... AND the World!

"Kristine Barnett’s son Jacob was diagnosed with autism when he was 2, and doctors said he would never speak. She tried special education programs and therapies aimed at addressing his limitations. When teachers told her there was no hope, she rebelled and took her own path.

“A lot of people thought that I had lost my mind,” she recalls.
"Instead of focusing on Jacob’s limitations, Kristine nurtured his interests. Now her 15-year-old son is on track to win a Nobel Prize for his work in theoretical physics.
"Relying on the insights she developed at her in-home daycare, Kristine resolved to follow Jacob’s 'spark' — his passionate interests. Why concentrate on what he couldn’t do? Why not focus on what he could? This philosophy, along with her belief in the power of childhood play, helped her son grow in incredible ways."
This is an excerpt from an amazing article about trusting your gut and allowing your kids to do what turns them on, despite the expert opinions. Please read the whole article here. And watch the video too! Yes, all 22 minutes are worth your consideration! Then brush up on more of the follow-your-gut-and-your-child's-lead advice on my blog and BE the next miracle in education your child needs! You may be surprised at how much the world is shaped by those daring to do just that! Small and simple things, I tell you. I love it!