Mom, Come Look! When Kids Advocate for Themselves…Listen!

His mom wanted to finish our conversation, but he persisted. “Mom…mom….”I knew that this particular 5-year-old is not the kind of kid to interrupt a grown-up conversation unless it is really important, so I stopped and asked, "What is it that we need to go see?" He said, "I built a fort!" Well, how could we resist. "OK, then. Let's go!"

Off we went to the edge of the upper meadow on our beautiful 42-acre campus, where our young learners are lucky to spend outdoor learning time every day. The mom and I followed behind her son and soon found him sitting underneath three carefully balanced branches with a beaming smile on his face. He had built his first magical fort, and he’d done it on his own. He had figured out exactly how the branches needed to go together so they would hold firm without any form of rope. His independence in this task was so fun to see. It's not easy not to take three oddly shaped branches and make them completely stable.  They fall down many more times than they stay standing.  
 

This boy's feat, which some might brush off as a cute little hut, was especially important because it was clear he learned that this kind of accomplishment matters. He understood that he could do something he conjured up in his own imagination and make it work, which meant lots of trial and error. And when it finally did work, he wanted to show someone. His ability to be self-directed in his work, persevere through lots of trial and error, succeed, and then share what he did is the foundation of learning. That process in a bigger world takes the form of imagining something that hasn't been before. Sometimes, that can result in cures for diseases. Sometimes, it's a peaceful solution that no one has seen before. Sometimes, it's a musical piece created out of whole cloth.  

There is a magic in the joy of a 5-year-olds, "Come look!" It is an invitation to celebrate and reminds us to slow down, reflect on our “wins,” and to recognize a job well done.  The children at High Meadows have the opportunity to practice putting their own ideas into action.  Sometimes it’s a fort.  Sometimes it’s conducting the band. Sometimes it’s writing and defending their capstone project.  But at every turn, what we hope to provide is the space for our students to begin the practice of becoming compassionate, responsible, and active global citizens. They can’t do this all on their own.  They need us. So please consider being a part of some child’s community and don’t hesitate when they say, even if it’s a shy whisper, “Come look.” 

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