American author, Zig Ziglar, wrote, “If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.” No matter the subject, with focus and commitment, the educational journey brings people from not knowing, to learning, to eventually, rising to the potential for mastery.
Differences Between Academics & Education
Standardized academic curriculum is typically the same for every student, following the structure as prescribed by the local government. Education can be attained within or independently of school systems; so much learning takes place outside of the classroom, by way of reading, listening, observing, experiencing, studying, traveling, and so much more.
The Most Important Building Block to Education: A Growth Mindset
With academics, certain “prerequisite” building blocks are crucial. In mathematics, knowledge builds upon prior knowledge. The same goes for reading and writing, letters can become words, which can become sentences, which, when appropriately aligned, can come alive as a story.
With education, there is one building block more powerful than any other: possession of a “Growth Mindset.” The learning process can be both arduous and magnificent—a journey that should be both embraced and celebrated. American actor, Denzel Washington, said, “Ease is a greater threat to progress than hardship. Hard work works.” Fathers have a duty to challenge their children to shed the crippling limitations of a “Fixed Mindset” and rejoice in the limitless potential of a “Growth Mindset.”
The Power of Education
Education has the power to change the lives of ourselves, our families, our community, and our society. It helps people become better citizens and earn a better living, showcasing the importance of and rewards for hard work. Education empowers us to grow and develop knowledge, engraining in us a wealth of skills, tools, and abilities to continuously improve our human experience. Throughout all of civilization, the keys of education can unlock doors to a better way of life. Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
Parental Involvement & Resourcefulness
As our children’s first teachers, parents are instrumental in establishing the foundational roots of education. The responsibility of teaching neither begins nor ends when a child starts going to school, rather, it starts at birth and lasts a lifetime. Once a child becomes school-age, academics create opportunities to turbo-charge learning. Fathers can fan the flames of our children’s curiosity by supporting their pursuit of knowledge both inside and outside of the classroom. When kids realize how exciting and useful it can be to learn new things, they tend to develop the greatest of all human resources: resourcefulness.
Family Routines
Fathers who establish morning, mealtime, and bedtime routines set the stage for children to receive appropriate rest and nourishment, positioning kids to be equipped, alert, and capable of learning to the best of their abilities. Regarding study routines, children can and should choose a designated area at home for learning—somewhere private but accessible so dad can join in if they need help with their work.
One of the most important routines in any household, habitual reading enhances capabilities, fundamentally, for the rest of our lives. Imagine how fun, easy, and rewarding it is to get together with our children and consistently read ten pages every night as part of our family’s daily routine.
Summary
Educational opportunities are all around us, at home, in school, in nature, and beyond. Human rights activist, Malcolm X, said, “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” Fathers best support their children’s education by helping them embrace a “Growth Mindset,” teaching them not to be intimidated by new topics but inspired. Establish a healthy learning home environment and keep watch for educational experiences outside of the classroom. Read daily. Encourage kids to seek knowledge—as they pursue it, they will possess it.
“Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.” —Proverbs 9:9 KJV
The Cat in the Hat
by Dr. Suess (2 – 6 years)
Have a ball with Dr. Seuss and the Cat in the Hat in this classic picture book… but don’t forget to clean up your mess!
Highlighting, rereading, and single-minded repetition of new skills create the illusion of mastery, but gains fade quickly. More complex and durable learning comes from self-testing, waiting to re-study new material until a little forgetting has set in, and interleaving the practice of one skill or topic with another. Make It Stick will appeal to all those interested bettering their education.
Culturally Responsive Teaching and The Brain
by Zaretta L. Hammond
To close the achievement gap, diverse classrooms must optimize student engagement. Many teachers have struggled to implement culturally responsive instruction―until now.
Educated: A Memoir
by Tara Westover
An unforgettable memoir about a young woman, kept out of school, leaves her survivalist family and goes on to earn a PhD from Cambridge University.
A brave, counterintuitive proposal for freeing children from the shackles of the curiosity-killing institution we call school. Free to Learn suggests that it’s time to stop asking what’s wrong with our children, and start asking what’s wrong with the system, sharing ways we can promote children’s happiness and learning.
The Smartest Kids in the World by Amanda Ripley
In a handful of nations, virtually all children are learning to make complex arguments and solve problems they’ve never seen before. They are learning to think and to thrive in the modern economy.
PLEASE NOTE: As an Amazon Associate, Fathers Truly Matter earns from qualifying purchases. The information in this post should not be construed as providing specific psychiatric, psychological, or medical advice, but rather to offer readers information to better understand the lives and health of themselves and their children. It is not intended to provide an alternative to professional treatment or to replace the services of a physician, psychiatrist, or psychotherapist.
