Interesting parent-teacher meet. Great information on what a child ‘needs’. A reasonable list of experiences, acquired skills, psychological traits? Knowledge of subjects, a range of socio-emotional abilities like resilience to cope with challenges? A well-rounded personality through real learning in field trips, museum visits?
Basically, a limited list of what a child ‘needs’ by paying attention to what’s already on offer. A basket of pre-assigned possibilities! Maths instructor insists on solving equations, algorithms, playing with technologies, softwares, codes. Educator’s speak as if one sort of experience is more important than another. Keen to build pot’s of skills, abilities rather than encourage a human’s search for ‘meaning’.
Our world offer’s a vast array of inexplicable, incredible experiences. A bewildering jumble of puzzles to be processed before they can decide what they really need. What can ‘need’ be replaced with?
Possibly ‘experiment’ for kids? Where need assumes fore-knowledge or pre-conceived ideas, an experiment simply supposes nothing. Lean’s towards imagination, inspiration, passion, truth. Develop’s sensitivity to contribute to the world we live in.
What will student’s find meaningful? Will it broaden perspectives? Will it build authenticity, self-worth, competence? Will they be fascinated, enriched, happy with learning? Is it practically, tangibly helpful? Will it stimulate curiosity for invention, creation? An open, explorative, experiential engagement with learning. We become a beautiful balance of what we learn, what we experience, what we experiment.