Time to (re-)Think
As I sit here researching things I get to do with my kids as a result of this unprecedented experience, I am conflicted…on one hand, I am frightened of the unknown, worrying about what is yet to come, or wondering what our world will look like when we come out on the other side of Covid-19. The uneasiness feels similar to 9/11. Not sure there was a silver lining on 9/11, maybe the unifying of the country, but it didn’t last. I do see the silver lining today though. I am finding a perspective that is thankful and excited; I am thankful as a parent. Yes, thankful. Why? I am thankful for the gift of time. Everything has stopped. The activities, the meetings, the to do’s.
So now what? What are families to do with all this time? No hauling kids here and there. No prior engagements to attend. Nothing. It is crazy. Crazy to have time. Time to breathe. Time to be a family. Time to talk. Time to play. And, time to learn together. With school shutting down, I am excited to get involved with my kids learning. There won’t be any grades. There won’t be any step by step to do’s. Structure? Yes. But it will look very different for them. This has given us time to tap into their creativity, their interests, and their questions.
The hiatus from school has allowed us to tap into some intrinsic motivators and let go of the extrinsic “rewards” of grades and compliance. Let this experience be a historical one for education. “Education”…it is time to take a long, hard look at yourself in the mirror. Take a look and see all the awesomeness that is happening over the next few months. The awesome experiences, the flexibility of time, the transfer of ownership from teacher to student. This is an opportunity for rich conversations about learning at home. Take a look and see parents and schools learning together, and teachers embracing their inner creativity to engage their students online. Maybe “Education” will see that learning can look different and students can be engaged in deeper thought and effort. This is the perfect time for education to begin doing what should have been done years ago. A chance to step away from the status quo and enter the world of student-centered learning. All we have is time and only time will tell.
