How To Inspire Kids To Change the World by Katarina Wallentin
Who are the people that truly change the world?
For me it is the people who dare to think bigger, bolder, beyond and definitively different.
The text in the famous Apple ad actually puts it rather well… “Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”― Rob Siltanen
So how can we, as adults, inspire and encourage the uniqueness and difference in the kids that may change the world?
Let me use my nephew as an example. He is 8 years old, absolutely brilliant, incredibly funny and what many would call…slightly crazy.
From his very early years, he has been exploring the world with an unsatisfiable appetite. He put matches in the toaster to see if it will explode, he drilled a little hole in his stomach when he was checking if the drill could be used as a massage stick and one day he decided to hitch-hike all the way home from school since his legs got very tired of biking.
I absolutely adore this child, and he continues to amaze me. In addition to his explorative nature, he is kind and caring and an incredibly smart kid. It is a joy to try to keep up with his ideas and I must admit, I am often many, many steps behind him.
My nephew is a dragon child. I know he will change the world – somehow.
And whenever I meet a dragon child, I try to empower her or him to:
#1 Trust their knowing
Kids know. They are like big radio receivers, picking up everything around them, the spoken and unspoken. And their perception is not yet filtered by all the projections, expectations, separations and judgments that most adults see the world. That means that they are often more right on than we are…
One of the greatest gifts you can give kids (and yourself) is ask them questions and trust their point of view and suggestions for what is going on, and what is required.
#2 Keep coloring outside the lines
We often try to show kids the right way of doing things – for example how to carefully color inside the lines in a coloring book. But really, that is just the way it has been done up till that moment! What if we instead get excited by all the different ways a task could be accomplished?
What if the wackiest ways of coloring, is the very beginning of a whole new way of painting, never before seen on this Earth?
#3 Stay weird
It can get very lonely being different. Sometimes it may seem easier to just shut that unique part off and fit in with everyone else. The choice to stay weird is a brave one. It takes immense courage. It can help to hear that now and then – to know that someone has your back.
This world of ours is not yet the best of all possible worlds. Our children have the capacity to change it into something greater. Our job is to inspire them to know that they can!
Katarina Wallentin is an avid explorer of the magic that is truly possible on this beautiful planet of ours. For over 10 years, she worked with communication and leadership in international organizations such as United Nations, Amnesty International, Doctors Without Borders and Save the Children — continuously seeking for something greater and different for and in the world. Now an Access Consciousness facilitator, she has written two books for empowering children: The Baby Unicorn Manifesto and Clara & The Climate Changer. Coming soon: The Baby Dragon Manifesto!
The post How To Inspire Kids To Change the World appeared first on ALSC Blog.
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Growth mindset is a hot topic right now, which is understandable as everyone wants their child to understand how working through struggles no matter what the setbacks can bring success and satisfaction. This list of growth mindset books for kids will help you start a conversation about the difference between fixed and growth mindsets.
Read the list here: www.whatdowedoallday.com/growth-mindset-books-for-kids/
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Excellent article on how we can cultivate grit, perseverance, and self-control in our kids: http://www.costcoconnection.com/connection/201809?pg=47#pg47
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Child of Holocaust survivor founded company called KIND http://www.costcoconnection.com/connection/201809?pg=91#pg91and now also runs empatico.org to connect classrooms across the world.
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Take your kids to this local museum exhibit to reinforce these life lessons: Illustrations by Lulu Delacre for Sonia Sotomayor’s Life Story at Zimmerli MuseumThis Fall
The Art of Turning Pages: Illustrations by Lulu Delacre for Sonia Sotomayor’s Life Story
WHEN: September 15, 2018, through March 17, 2019
WHERE: Zimmerli Art Museum, 71 Hamilton Street (at George Street) on the College Avenue Campus of Rutgers University in New Brunswick. The Zimmerli is a short walk from the NJ Transit train station in New Brunswick, midway between New York City and Philadelphia.
ADMISSION: free
To schedule a class or group tour, please contact the Education Department (education@zimmerli.rutgers.edu) at least two weeks in advance.
In conjunction with U. S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s first memoir for young people, the Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers is pleased to announce the opening of The Art of Turning Pages: Illustrations by Lulu Delacre for Sonia Sotomayor’s Life Story.
Justice Sotomayor shares her inspiring story about growing up and her deep love of reading in Turning Pages: My Life Story, which will be published by Philomel Books on September 4, along with a Spanish version, Pasando páginas: La historia de mi vida.
The exhibition features nearly 30 objects on loan from award-winning children’s author and illustrator Lulu Delacre, including her oil and collage art, preparatory drawings, and research material, on public view for the first time. Bilingual labels, in English and Spanish, accompany the works. Ms. Delacre will speak at Art After Hours: First Tuesdays on October 2.
“Justice Sotomayor is a role model for people all over the world who dream to make a difference,” said Nicole Simpson, the Zimmerli’s Assistant Curator of Prints and Drawings, who organized the exhibition. “In Turning Pages, she is a powerful advocate for the importance of reading, demonstrating how early exposure to books can transform a person’s life. Likewise, Lulu Delacre reveals through her captivating illustrations how art can tell a moving story…” Read more » http://www.njartsmaven.com/2018/09/illustrations-by-lulu-delacre-for-sonia.html
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Speaking of inspirers: Dav Pilkey, a dyslexic himself, encourages kids to read with his humorous books.http://www.costcoconnection.com/connection/201809?pg=107#pg107
Looking for things to do this weekend?
FREE STORYTELLING FESTIVAL IN HOPEWELL SEPTEMBER 15
WHEN: Saturday, September 15, 12:00pm to 6:00pm Age: ages 3-103
WHERE: Howell Living History Farm, 70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Twp.
Festival will be held rain or shine. For info: www.njstorynet.org or www.howellfarm.org.
Former Bridgewater Children’s Librarian Carol Simon Levin will be performing interactive farm stories and songs from 1:15-1:50.
See ‘Ewes’ at the New Jersey Storytelling Festival!
Join talented tellers from throughout New Jersey and the tri-state area Saturday, September 15, for the 26th New Jersey Storytelling Festival and hear a whole new crop of stories cultivating good times for all ages at
The fun begins the Story Slam from noon to 1 p.m. Contestants are chosen at random to recount a 5 minute-or-less personal tale on the theme of “Chicken!” A continuous rotation of tellers will perform throughout the farm from 1 to 5 p.m., followed by the festival’s signature close, the Lightning Round, in which tellers will tell tales no longer than 2 minutes in quick succession, from 5 to 6 p.m.
Before the festival, noted storyteller Rona Leventhal will explore storytelling techniques and strategies for a variety of applications in a morning workshop entitled “It’s Your Story—Tell It!” The workshop is free and open to the public but registration is required as seating is limited.
There is also a workshop in the morning for older kids, teens & adults:
It's Your Story—Tell It!
WHEN: Saturday, September 15, 2018, 9:30 to 11:30 AM
WHERE: Visitors Center/The Barn
REGISTER HERE
In pairs and individually, Rona will guide you through lively writing and speaking exercises that will add details, imagery, and interest to your tale. For educators, these techniques can be modified for any grade level to motivate and encourage students to believe in their ability to create their own stories too.
In this workshop, participants will:
- Use story prompts to add sensory details and to visualize a story scene.
- Brainstorm sensory information to clarify thinking and build the elements of a story.
- Write for short bursts of time and then tell to a partner and get feedback, so anecdotes begin to take on a narrative line.
- Have an optional chance to perform their story for the group.
As a workshop leader, Rona is applauded for her warm and enthusiastic spirit, supportive nature, and inspiring talent. As a certified teacher, she is passionate about bringing literacy to students in an exciting and accessible way. Visit her website: www.ronatales.com
Participants will earn 3 professional development credits. The workshop is free, made possible by the Friends of Howell Living History Farm. It will run promptly from 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. in the Visitor’s Center of Howell Farm. Please arrive 15 minutes early to procure a seat and bring a notebook and writing utensil. The workshop is handicapped accessible. Food and drinks will be available for purchase at the festival.
For questions or concerns, contact MaryAnn Paterniti: maryann.paterniti@ gmail.com
Note: Three Professional Development credits will be awarded to educators for attending the workshop and story performances of the NJ Storytelling Festival.
FALL HARVEST FEST THIS SUNDAY @ FOSTERFIELDS
FALL HARVEST FEST
WHEN: September 16, 12 noon - 5 p.m.
WHERE: Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, 73 Kahdena Road, Morris Township
ADMISSION: $8 per adult, $7 per senior (65+), $6 per child age 4 - 16, and $4 per child age 2 & 3. FREE for children under age 2.
Spend the day at Fosterfields at one of Morris County’s most popular fall festivals! Hop aboard the open-air wagon for a scenic ride around the farm, visit the friendly farm animals, enjoy live music, and more! Fun for the entire family! Check it out here.
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Looking for other events in NJ? Check out www.njartsmaven.com.
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