My colleague Aimee letting Sid and I go over our 20 minute limit!
During the October 17 GIFT presentation I joined Sid Vikram on his podcast, “The Sid Hour”. We ran over our 20 minutes, like we always do when we start chatting. Sid interviewed me about what I teach in my Leadership series here at Mezzacello Urban Farm. This was Sid’s synopsis to me.
Firstly, I learned that parents are undervaluing children. Right now, I gathered from listening to you in the podcast, that parents want kids safe, and ignorant of the errors of the world, even if they are curious. They try to protect them from the world, and don't treat them like potential changemakers.
This causes them to submit and live a quiet life, while their ideas, new perspectives, and new skills that will prove valuable for the future will be lost.
Secondly, I gathered that parents need to change their view on children to ensure that they are empowered. If parents teach things such as the value of skills such as creativity and empathy, children will be able to question the system and be empowered to begin change in their communities.
They should also help children by believing in them, because since a child's perception of themselves is based upon other people, if others believe in their ability, the child will too.
Lastly, I learned the importance of play. Children learn through play, they absorb and reflect on the experience given to them. Play is the predecessor to innovation, because the process is the same.
However, today's society frowns upon play, opting for a somewhat structured approach, but by letting children play, do problem solving, and critical thinking, they will be able to hone in on skills which will be important in the future.
