Institution vs. Experience

            Let’s take a break from specifics and focus on the world as a whole. Mass schooling, or public schools, started to rise about 150 to 200 years ago (Baker, 2005, p. 7). It’s been a success in developing and functioning, while still going through transitions, it remains the same in the foundations. It’s the way many of the people across the globe learn and it seems to be working. Schooling has developed as an institution, with rules of behavior or social actions considered acceptable (Baker, 2005, p. 9). A place for children to grow into themselves and start feeling comfortable with the ideas of the world and what they want to be doing in life. As teachers, we can take this mass schooling and institutions and turn them into a brightening experience, a learning experience. A place that isn't just brick walls and desks, but a home to let your mind expand.  

          Once you come to pick up your child from school, does the learning stop? I sure hope not. A teacher can only do so much when it comes to educating, but a parent can step in and continue the learning process. When your child is working on homework or completing a project, are you assisting them or doing all the work for them? Our children need guidance and help, but they also need the freedom to think on their own and use their own imagination to discover what the love. Make sure you give your child that freedom and sense of individuality throughout their whole life so they can experience everything they need to and become the best version of them self.