Learning AND Growth (revisited)

Chances are you know someone in your life that went thru the excitement and drama this week of going back to school. Here in Ontario, it is hard to get away from all the Facebook posts this week.#bigkid #wheredidtimego #JK #schoolorbust #thisismeingrade9baby

Going back to school is a bit like a first date; you are on your best behavior, everyone is trying really hard to be nice and the opportunities for learning appear to be endless. For some, this can last for weeks –even months. Learning comes easy, they excel and digest information like eating a bowl full of Rice Krispies. (you’ll notice their parents make those tasty Rice Krispy squares for the bake sale ) For others, (traditional) learning is a struggle.

 In a recent article, (education quality and accountability office (EQAO)) half of all grade 6 students in Ontario aren’t meeting the provincial math standard. As a parent with a 11 year old in grade 6 in our system this is a little unsettling. While it is easy to point the finger at the system; the institution and the school board, what are we doing to reinforce core math (reading) at home, at play and during family time. As a parent in business (we) I need to be more involved in sharing real world changes (times zone, currency changes, bank rates, savings, balancing our budget and what about the interest rates) and how this impact my daughter NOW and IN the future.

Learning is a muscle that we must exercise; whether you are learning to play guitar, practicing how to become a better communicator or reading an engaging (improve your EV @ PK) book that will stretch your perspective. To me, there is a distinction between learning and growth. Growth is the learned behavior, the change / adjustment and lessons learned. Growing, taking risks and adapting to change can be painful. They also call this experience and wisdom.

How do you learn?

What method works for you?

What skill do you model at home and work?

I hope to teach my daughter about being resilient, define your own path (road less travelled) to get thru the struggles and celebrate the wins no matter how small. As I reflect on my own failings and challenges I am tempting to give her a roadmap of what to do and what to avoid...but where is the fun in all of that! At some point I turn to wisdom.

.... grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.              Reinhold Niebuhr

Tell me and I forget.Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn. Benjamin Franklin