Here's an example of viral social media. The invaluable speakers' series TED: Ideas Worth Spreading posts a link to a brilliant, challenging talk by 12-year-old prodigy Adora Svitak. Sewickley Academy's prolific blogger (and Admission Director) Brendan Schneider tweets a link to it. Xaverian High School Admission Director Tim McDonough (another leader in educational social media) sees Brendan's link and includes the TED video in his blog post entitled Limits and Labels. Tim tweets a link to his blog, which inspires me to post this page. And on it goes.

 

In her talk entitled What Adults Can Learn From Kids, Svitak argues that adults could benefit from some "childish" thinking: bold, creative ideas unencumbered by the doubts of rational adulthood.

 

Rather than ridiculing youthful thinking (and its brilliance,) Svitak calls for us to value responsible, ethical behavior, (not always a strength for adults.) "Believe in possibilities!" she admonishes.

 

She goes right at education and argues that learning between students and teachers should be reciprocal. Noting that "Regimes become oppressive when they're fearful about keeping control," she punctuates the need for educational environments that take the risk of trusting.

 



"When expectations are low...trust me...we will sink to them."

 

It would be tempting to use the adjective "precocious" to describe Adora Svitak, but she finishes by crediting environments....her parents reading challenging, thought-provoking material when she was even younger, for example. This insight brings important focus to the awesome responsibility of parents and educators to cultivating the brilliance and potential of young people.

 

Svitak challenges adults to recognize a goal of encouraging a generation that will be superior to us. "It is imperative to create opportunities for children so that we can grow up to blow you away." As far as I'm concerned, that's why we're here.



Once again, here's the link to Adora Svitak's talk: What Adults Can Learn From Kids.
On Titter, follow @schneiderb and @TMcDonough1973 and you will be introduced to a world of smart thinkers.