Every year about this time, two professors from a small college in Wisconsin publish a “mindset” list to remind us that the entering college class has a completely different knowledge base than previous generations. You’ve probably seen the list. For example, this year’s freshman class has always had cellphones, always ordered books from Amazon, has never known a communist Russia. Most striking of all on this year’s list? Ferris Bueller could be their dad.
The mindset list reminds us that knowledge is always on the move. When we narrowly define knowledge as the dictionary does, we forget that facts and information can only take us so far. What really matters—what really tests our knowledge—is what we do with what we know.
As a parent, we navigate that journey as we build into our kids an understanding of the world around us. One of the ways we can do that best is to think about the destination before we get too far along on the journey.
Roll those years forward. Imagine the end of your child or teen’s formative years. What’s it look like after he or she has become an adult? What are the most important things that we want our son or daughter to walk away with and know once they leave our home and head for college and beyond?
With that end in mind, we define knowledge a little differently, with a more active sense. For us, knowledge is “discovering something new so you can be better at what you do.”
Kids are naturally curious. They are wired at birth to question, explore, and discover what they don’t know. If we are not careful about how we handle learning, kids can grow up and grow out of being interested in discovering new things. The future of your children is not only linked to what they know, but to their desire to keep learning. Whether they realize it or not, adults have the ability to turn the discovery dial up or down in a kid’s life. If you are going to turn it up, you need to become intentional about looking for ways to intrigue them with new ideas and insights about life.
Keep the story in history.
Keep the mystery in science.
Keep the application in math.
And when it comes to spiritual issues, be careful you don’t define God in such narrow terms that He’s no longer as huge and miraculous as He really is.
What are some ways we can help our kids value learning this month?
Thanks for writing this article as always its insightful! 😀 AS a family we decided to do the family yearbook and start putting in different items each week about what we are discovering about God and how we are applying it in our lives! My kids are so excited about this! We can’t wait…. For me personally I am going to be intentional about taking a personal interest in something each of my kids really desire to learn more about! My oldest daughter really wants to Dance! So this month I will help her discover different dance techniques and see what really peaks her interest! sign her up for a class or two! 🙂 My youngest is a little more tricky.. she is turning 4 this month and is just curious about everything right now! Last night she asked the question why do people have to use the restroom…. LOL everything is interesting to her! SO I will be paying close attention this month to something she really takes interest in and i will help her develop it further! Thank You for the reminder to Slow down and continue to Help our kids see value in learning new things! Its so easy to get busy and not take the time to do these things! Blessings! have a great week!