Reflections on the playground:

                                                     

 

 
As we trade sand and lakes for backpacks and routines, children are universally excited about the prospect of a new school year.  Their enthusiasm and anxiousness about beginning anew really challenges us to ensure that there will be support, safety nets and always, second chances to become better at learning, better at developing lifelong habits that breed success.

 

It seems that students bring a genuine love of learning to school each September wrapped inside of their many-layered personalities.  Our schools have been diligent about providing visuals that support good behavior, rewarding students for their kindness and concern for each other.  But, we may be a bit shy on strong visuals and tools that support those other character traits that will solidify them as lifelong learners…..resilience, grit, curiosity,  that make learning valuable to them.

          Scientists have discovered that intelligence is not fixed. In reality, most of what we were taught about IQ just isn’t true. We can become smarter with effort. Lifelong learners realize this and are driven to stay in the game in order to reap the benefits that self-directed learning provides.

           Success depends on sound strong habits and anyone of any ability can develop them. Every activity in school may not have a great impact in life, but the habits students use to approach these tasks will. When students see learning as valuable, it makes all the difference. The real message is that students are not in school for their parents or teachers, or for anyone else for that matter. They are there to reach their own full potential.
Lifelong learners make that happen.