Mind the Gap - Why Children Should Watch their Footing in School

"MIND THE GAP" (CC BY 2.0) by  CGP Grey 

We have all witnessed the wide eyed curiosity of a young child as they begin to explore. The sheer wonder as they start to see how so many things connect and reveal the courage to experiment. We see the tears when they fall, but a willingness to pick themselves up again and give it another go. This freedom of thought is vital to their growth and presentation as individuals onto the world’s stage don’t you think? But sadly, when we look at it, curiosity loses its innocence once time comes to go to school.

As they walk the hallowed grounds of the school campus, shirt tucked in for fear of reprimand and with that God-given curiosity pushing them forward they hit a brick wall. The system doesn't recognise it and it doesn't value it either. In fact the system they have entered finds this way of thinking frightening. It has a strong “anti-curiosity” defense mechanism in place. Their opinions and desire shake the system to the core.

What happens is that their curiosity goes through a metamorphosis, it becomes some very different -  “challenge.” How individual schools and teachers handle this seismic shift varies considerably but it remains a huge culture shock for children and young people.

If you are completely free to express your curiosity and gather your views and values around you like familiar friends then you have a far greater sense of who you are. Our curiosity reveals our individuality and our uniqueness, and to deny this strips us of ourselves and causes us to act like automatons.

We say “you cannot ask the “why” questions”, and you should never let this word pass your lips or the ground will open up and swallow you whole. The system contains trapdoors ready to open when you speak out.

As parents we systematically ask our kids to conform for fear of the consequences if they don’t. But perhaps it’s time to stop thinking like this?

Personally I work with young people everyday who are often seen as problems. It doesn’t mean that those overseeing their fortunes don’t care, they often do but I revel in the way they look to forge their own way. They want to stay awake and not be rocked to sleep. But as they do I always remind them to watch their footing.

John Hassall, Founder Johass Ltd