What happens when you take away all the rules?
This principal has found out.
Caught this vid shared by Michelle Boyce (@boycem3) this morning on the #BFC530 (Breakfast Club, 5:30) chat on Twitter. And it's amazing and encouraging.
And it's backed by science. Kids need risk to learn to manage risk, says one researcher.
I'd add, they also need adventure. I love the part about them not having time for video games. That's what happens when real life actually becomes fun.
And then they return to school calm and "ready to learn." Though I'd add they were doing a whole lot of that outside.
I'd love to visit and find out what else is happening. I like how the bigger kids breaking up fights, and I'd love to see what other sorts of social rules are naturally showing up out there.
But I'd also add some modelling by adults. Need a few teachers walking slacklines and climbing trees, socializing, playing, etc.
Has a lot to say about parenting, as well.
What do you think?
William, I believe the risk this principal has taken is what many would consider extreme, but it is the extreme that changes our thinking is it not? I love this video. It shows that kids are capable of so much more than we give them credit for. I have watched this video so many times over the last few weeks, and I am amazed at how the playground did not dissolve into a puddle of injured bullying students.
ReplyDeleteI am interested in some of the brain research the video presented on the effects of risk in children, and I think it is a wonderful point to be made that the children learn this earlier rather than at age 21 at the bar.
Abner Oakes (@aoakes4) shared this reading with me this morning on #BFC530 from a year ago issue of The Atlantic.
http://www.theatlantic.com/features/archive/2014/03/hey-parents-leave-those-kids-alone/358631/
Worth the read. Love to see something like this all across the land! Thanks for continuing to push the boundaries of our educational thinking!
I'll definitely check out the link! Thanks again for sharing this video.
DeleteAnd I love your perspective on kids. They really are capable of so much more than we (and they) think.
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