Robinson wrote a book called “The Element How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything”  The book is as entertaining and thought-provoking as his talk. I’m drawn to books that support the notion that the brain is dynamic and that we are hard-wired and driven to learn in spite of our circumstances. He challenges the value of IQ tests and the big business of standardized tests-even SAT’s. He demonstrates that the paradigm for “education” is so limited and limiting in Western culture that we are losing our natural capacity for creativity. A characteristic that is critical to innovation.

I’m loving the book and the problem for me after reading something like this is how to apply what I learn in mothering and educating my own children. It’s tricky because while I do trust the notion that given the opportunity, people will find their own passions, being more likely to find their “Element”. The problem is that in this state, I have to cover certain subjects and record in a pretty conventional manner so the district sees that the kids are learning. In other words, it’s difficult for me to articulate the physiology and education that I know occurs when, for example, Hannah spends 4 hours painting a detailed picture or Mark spends 2 hours listening to a quality book on tape for the 3rd or 4th time. In my view, Hannah is clearly in a zone, which is an optimal state of cognition and similarly, Mark is synthesizing something. These days, I think it’s rare for a kid to do anything relaxing (other than a screen) for more than 15 or 20 minutes. In spite of knowing intuitively that these kinds of activities are valuable and critical to their education, creativity, development and growth, I often feel obligated to interrupt what they might be naturally drawn toward so they can get their “school work” finished for the day. This book, along with “Simplicity Parenting” gives me a reason to allow the spontaneous to happen and to continue in our days. It also makes me regret stressing about some of the 3 R’s and not spending more time on the arts. I’m thinking a lot about our next school year and I think this book will support my plans to simplify the seat work and explore a little more.