Learning to take a test...
- Sparrow Home School
- Nov 1, 2017
- 4 min read
This meme, says it all really...
Testing, testing, 1, 2, 3, testing. It seems our educational system has made it all about testing. Testing for what I ask you? I personally believe that constantly preparing our children to take a test does not reflect what the big picture, out in the real world stuff, is really about.
I know of kids who are really switched on, they have smarts, they are logical and have their own points of view. However, put them in a test situation and they freeze. If we were to base what that kid knows on the results of those tests, well, it would be assumed they did not know much, have some learning challenges, you'd be told to get them a hoard of tutors to help them out and so forth. Those tests simply do not reflect correctly how switched on that child really is. That child, is home schooled and I say thank goodness. They are in a environment where they are allowed to shine. To follow their interests and passions (as well as the stuff we kinda need to know to function in society like some maths and literature skills).
"Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." ~ Albert Einstein
Remember, not all kids are academic either. Some are. Some are a mix. All children have their own pace, style and skills. While they may feel challenged in some areas, they will excel in others. No-one is great at everything. The kid that did not do so great at XYZ in school ended up being that amazing carpenter, a real craftsman. That other kid that did not do so great at QRS ended up being a world-class chef. And that one, the one over there? They took their heart full of compassion and went overseas to help those in need have a better life. Did all those stress-inducing tests get them there? I would say no. Their passion, interest and drive did.
Passions. Let's talk about that. To level the playing field, let's pretend we all leave our 'formal education' (whether it be public, private, Montessori, Steiner, home school, whatever), with the basics of maths of English (sadly this is not the case for all but for the sake of this discussion, let's say we all do). Apart from those basics, what else did you learn or remember you learnt that helped you reach out and get the career you chose for yourself? I often suggest, probably not much.
You see, I'd suggest that for most of us, when we get to the end of those required formal educational years, we kind of know what we want to do with our lives, at least for that moment in time. Let's say you want to be a photographer (it could be a vet, child care worker, youth aid worker, doctor, makeup artist, hairdresser, musician, work in the public sanitary services, the list goes on). Because you have chosen that path for yourself, there is passion, there is interest. You find out what you need to do and learn and know to start that career. If you need further education, then you go off and do that. Passion and interest drive us to do what we need to do to get to where we want to go.
So, for me and my family, cultivating and encouraging passion during those formal educational years is pretty powerful. So apart from teaching my kids and helping them learn the stuff they need to know to help them function in society and give them a good base to leverage from, I give lots of time and space for them to follow their passions. They research online, at the library and have discussions with others about what they are interested in. These are great skills that will serve them well for the rest of their lives.
If they can find a way to make a living from what they are passionate about, what brings them joy, satisfaction and the freedom to live their lives how they choose to, then they will be living fulfilling lives that will benefit them and those people and relationships around them.
Do I do tests with my kids? The answer is no. I can see what they are learning, understanding and investigating because I'm involved with that process and putting together stuff to help and guide them as well as seeing what their personal interests are and how they are following them. They will follow them their own way and they will ask what is available to help them further and we chase that information/excursion etc down that rabbit hole. I can tell what they are learning and are interested in by the convervations we have, seeing what they are watching, reading and so forth. Observation is a wonderful tool.
So fast forward to a world where we don't feel the need to constantly prep our kids for a test (and all the insane pressure that places on them and the teachers placed under pressure to conduct those tests), that really does not reflect the real world and their place within it. A world where kids have been encouraged to follow their passions and dreams from an early age, given the time and space and resources to do just that.
If you've not observed it, ask your kids what makes them feel good, what they are interested in, what lights up their insides. Ask them not what they want to be when they grow up but what do they want to do to change the world. The answers are often more passionate, conversation-inducing and exciting.
Ponder this. Are you, in fact, doing things that fill your cup, that fulfils your passions, your dreams, ticks off items on your bucket list? It's never too late to start living the life that makes you feel authentic and whole. Show your kids how it's done. And the best bit? There's no test for that - it's waiting to be 'drawn forth from within' already.
Meme Alert!
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