Comments on: Raising kids in this crazy world http://ramenlabs.com/2008/11/14/raising-kids-in-this-crazy-world/ a blog by dave benjamin Thu, 03 Nov 2011 02:45:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4-alpha-19719 By: Learning is Hard « Mike Brittain http://ramenlabs.com/2008/11/14/raising-kids-in-this-crazy-world/comment-page-1/#comment-41 Learning is Hard « Mike Brittain Tue, 21 Jul 2009 03:07:31 +0000 http://ramenlabs.com/?p=57#comment-41 [...] just bumped into a great quote from Dave Benjamin that reminded me of all of this, and I wanted to share that because I think [...] [...] just bumped into a great quote from Dave Benjamin that reminded me of all of this, and I wanted to share that because I think [...]

]]> By: ramen http://ramenlabs.com/2008/11/14/raising-kids-in-this-crazy-world/comment-page-1/#comment-37 ramen Fri, 21 Nov 2008 04:51:37 +0000 http://ramenlabs.com/?p=57#comment-37 Hey MiQL! Thanks for the tip - I'll look for that book next time I'm at the store. We've talked about homeschooling but we are concerned about the effect on social skills. Not that I ever learned any. It's great to hear that your kids are naturally drawn to art and enjoy its intrinsic rewards, and I agree that it is silly to try to reward people for things they already enjoy. At some point, we all have to find our own sources of enthusiasm, and the sooner we can discover what frequencies make us resonate, the better. Hey MiQL! Thanks for the tip – I’ll look for that book next time I’m at the store. We’ve talked about homeschooling but we are concerned about the effect on social skills. Not that I ever learned any.

It’s great to hear that your kids are naturally drawn to art and enjoy its intrinsic rewards, and I agree that it is silly to try to reward people for things they already enjoy. At some point, we all have to find our own sources of enthusiasm, and the sooner we can discover what frequencies make us resonate, the better.

]]> By: MiQL http://ramenlabs.com/2008/11/14/raising-kids-in-this-crazy-world/comment-page-1/#comment-36 MiQL Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:43:48 +0000 http://ramenlabs.com/?p=57#comment-36 I am a product of the Mesa Public School System. I can attest to the worker-bee syndrome instilled in me as a yoot and how schools stifle creativity. I've been casually reading about home-schooling for the past couple of years now. One book I continue to revisit is Alfie Kohn's Punished By Rewards. Kohn delves into the ridiculousness of rewarding children for things they *should* do and/or rewarding them for things they already like doing. Kohn also talks about how there is no substantial link to homework and learning and other goodies. Anyhow, much of it goes back to motivation. My 5 year-old *loves* to practice letters and numbers. I don't have to tell/remind her. Her handwriting is better than most 6th graders. The 1-year-old then sees the 5-year-old and well, she follows suit 'cause it looks fun! *streaks a star and rainbow through this post* I am a product of the Mesa Public School System. I can attest to the worker-bee syndrome instilled in me as a yoot and how schools stifle creativity. I’ve been casually reading about home-schooling for the past couple of years now. One book I continue to revisit is Alfie Kohn’s Punished By Rewards.

Kohn delves into the ridiculousness of rewarding children for things they *should* do and/or rewarding them for things they already like doing. Kohn also talks about how there is no substantial link to homework and learning and other goodies. Anyhow, much of it goes back to motivation. My 5 year-old *loves* to practice letters and numbers. I don’t have to tell/remind her. Her handwriting is better than most 6th graders. The 1-year-old then sees the 5-year-old and well, she follows suit ’cause it looks fun!

*streaks a star and rainbow through this post*

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