I personally think this is a very good question and answer that followed. We as parents, teachers, supporters and counselors have to come together about this matter and address this to better educate our kids to become creative and divergent thinkers for a more proficient and self motivated evolution for their future. i enjoyed this site and article and made me more conscious of what divergent and creative thinking is about. Thank you!

Windy, I wish I had a good answer for you – it seems stunningly ignorant of lawmakers to ignore best practices and decades of research about learning. I think a big problem is that we have policy makers that aren’t educators – or if they are educators, they weren’t highly-skilled.

This fall, I spoke with a Colorado senator who gave me some great suggestions for influencing policy – she said to share personal stories. Tell the story of how a child is languishing in your classroom – make it real for elected officials. (I better write more about this, I’m realizing!) Also, be sure to say that you are a constituant so the person takes you seriously as a voter.

If we take away a teacher’s ability to teach children and force her to teach curriculum, children lose and teachers lose. It’s lose-lose right now – unless you have a good principal who trusts you as a professional.

Do what you can – your kids will thank you! 🙂

Melissa

I think it depends on your purpose — are you teaching a specific skill you want the child to practice or are you teaching listening or following directions? It also depends on the child as to their comfort level with independence and direction. Divergent thinking doesn’t mean a free for all – it’s very intentional facilitation by the adult who scaffolds the learning.

I would go with your child’s preference – if it’s not working for whatever reason, find something else that does work for him or her. And I so agree with you to let the learner grow on their own continuum!!