Thursday, February 24, 2011

Special Children



Taking off from my post on educating the children of today, I thought I would let you hear what some of them had to say. You may not agree, or understand what they are communicating, but the ages of these children are striking in contrast to what they are doing:








I have no doubt that education is going to need to change in this new age. We need to quit medicating our children, help all children to find their special gifts, and quit trying to make them conform to a linear-sequential education when they obviously see the world in a unique way. These children are special and we need to see the world through their eyes. They are our future.

11 comments:

Hilary said...

These kids are amazing. I've encountered others through the years who clearly do think differently than the rest. Some have been blessed to have teachers who really got that. Others fell through the cracks when educators had no clue how to handle them. I think that awareness is growing. I hope so anyway.

Whitney Lee said...

Phenomenal. I agree that it is time to stop trying to teach and test as if all children are the same. I also agree that it's time to stop medicating. I am hoping that changes occur soon, though it's doubtful. I just don't want my children to get shortchanged. I understand why so many people turn to homeschooling, but there is so much social education that kids miss in that scenario.

Nancy said...

Hilary - I hope so, too. We need to put more of our resources into education, both in the classroom and in research and development. This is a world-wide issue. We have problems that affect humanity - it will take humanity to fix them. And these children are our best hope.

Whitney - I have to agree with you regarding the social issues. But I now understand home schooling more than I could before, as long as social issues are addressed. I think we need to make our legislators aware of the importance of education. We need to put all their numbers on speed dial. :-)

Trish and Rob MacGregor said...

Fantastic. Agree totally with your post!

Brian Miller said...

help them find their special talents...indeed....some of the kids i work with have them...but they are not things taught or they have been removed from the school as not important...great vids

Natalie said...

Being the mother of five such children, i would personally like to see them just 'be'.

The social implications have been huge for my guys. They have been bullied mercilessly from babyhood. Other children just 'pick up' that mine are different somehow. While homeschooling has crossed my mind, it is important for them to understand the social dynamics of life on this planet.

karen said...

Blown away by these talented kids...and am encouraged for the future knowing they are here.

Nancy said...

T & R - :-)

Brian - What would the world look like if every child was encouraged to be who they really are? I think about all of the time I tried to force my daughters into slots...

Natalie - I agree with you on that, but I feel so sad that your littles are not always treated kindly. They are so adorable.

Maggie - And to think everyone has something they are very, very good at doing.

Anonymous said...

Prodigies have been around for ages, but now we have the internet to show them to us in an instant. I happen to think my kids are pretty amazing and they are not prodigy's, just gifted, but yes, I have often thought that the way the school goes about teaching them is stifling. They didnt become gifted pushing a pencil around a desk, why would that be necessary now? Still they are learning to get around in society and that is necessary especially for those who are gifted. No one can see how special you are if you can't live in the world and get along with people. Prodigy's do need different schooling, and should be held accountable to learn the basics like everyone else. Just because you are a talented artist doesn't mean you get to skip out on trigonometry! I think that is a problem that will develope in future time. Special children not taught basics because they are SO good in one subject they should be allowed to just do that. Thats overkill in the wrong direction of course, but it will happen.

Nancy said...

Nancy - This was my point - all children are gifted in some way, but unfortunately we are trying to teach them in a way that may not bring that out in them. Some flourish, some flounder. The children in the videos are just examples of different ways they have been encouraged to share their gifts - one is given the opportunity to just do what she wants to do, one is given regular education but encouraged, one is also encouraged, but from a very young age. They are all different. Who knows what each will end up doing when they grow up. I agree with a well-rounded education, with one that focuses on the gift of the child. We all need to know how to read, write, speak, do basic math, etc.

Shrinky said...

What beautiful, amazing chidren. I am sure there are many others out there perhaps less fortunate, who are not given the essential tools they require to encourage them. Yes, our educational system is sadly lacking in many ways, isn't it?