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SeaStar
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| Posted: July 25 2013 at 6:55pm | IP Logged
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I debated where to put this post, and it can certainly be moved.
I just finished The Spark: A Mother's Guide to Nutruting Genius, and wow! I could not put it down.
It is the story of Jake Barnett, whose IQ is higher than Einstein's, and who is also autistic. He is amazing, but mostly it is the story of how his mother Kristine would not give up on him, even when she was told that he would never be able to read and might learn to tie his shoes by the time he was a teenager.
Her whole philosophy is not to focus on what a child can't do but instead look at what his passion is- and run with it. Using this strategy, she not only helped Jake (who is an astrophysicist at age 12) but also many other children with autism.
My favorite part of the book was a bit about Kristine's sister, an accomplished artist at an early age. In third grade, Melanie was given a math test at school that she could not begin to complete. Instead, she turned the paper over and drew a beautiful, detailed landscape in pencil on the back. When her mother found out, she just laughed! Today Melanie is an art teacher and artist.
I'm so intrigued by all this... I often feel pressured to have my kids learn things because in such and such grade you should be able to do such and such, or at least know what it is, etc. I frequently find myself saying: yes, but not now- later to their passions so that we can finish XYZ.
I know how frustrated I feel when I really want to do or learn about something but I have to wait, always wait, or I only have a few minutes a day to pursue it.
I know there are standardized tests that have to be taken and accountability, etc- but is all that really helping my kids in the long run?
Would it be better really to let them run with what interests them?
In the book, Jake as a baby would stare at shadows on the wall for hours.
The doctors said he was disconnected, but it turns out he was studying light and shadows- and today his study of light/fiber optics is probably going to give the world something wonderful.
So boys who only want to build with legos all day... is that their future work-design, building, architecture- and we can't see it because we think
they are just playing with a toy? So we put the legos away and make them
underline subjects and circle verbs. Is that helping?
Anyway- it was a fantastic book to read and I really have to think about this more.
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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*Lindsey*
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| Posted: July 25 2013 at 7:26pm | IP Logged
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I have never heard of that book! It's now on my Amazon wishlist.  I need to check if our library has it (which I doubt).
SeaStar wrote:
I frequently find myself saying: yes, but not now- later to their passions so that we can finish XYZ.
I know how frustrated I feel when I really want to do or learn about something but I have to wait, always wait, or I only have a few minutes a day to pursue it.
I know there are standardized tests that have to be taken and accountability, etc- but is all that really helping my kids in the long run?
Would it be better really to let them run with what interests them?
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THIS. This is what is soooo difficult. My twins girls draw, color, and cut paper up all day long.
Anyway, thank you for sharing. I am so intrigued!
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Lindsey
Mama to DS (11), DD(9), twin dds(7), DD (5), DS (4), DS (3), and 5 angels in heaven.
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SeaStar
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| Posted: July 25 2013 at 8:09pm | IP Logged
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Your library may have it- I just happened to see it on the shelf at mine, and the title caught my eye. I'm so glad I picked it up!
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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Erica Sanchez
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| Posted: July 26 2013 at 1:38am | IP Logged
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Melinda,
Would you mind if I shared your post and link with my local group?
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Have a beautiful and fun day!
Erica in San Diego
(dh)Cash, Emily, Grace, Nicholas, Isabella, Annie, Luke, Max, Peter, 2 little souls ++, and sweet Rose who is legally ours!
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SeaStar
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| Posted: July 26 2013 at 5:19am | IP Logged
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Erica Sanchez wrote:
Melinda,
Would you mind if I shared your post and link with my local group? |
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Sure- that is fine.
I would love to hear what other people think after reading it.
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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Erica Sanchez
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| Posted: July 27 2013 at 1:33pm | IP Logged
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Thanks, Melinda,
I just sent to my group and I plan to check the book out of the library.
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Have a beautiful and fun day!
Erica in San Diego
(dh)Cash, Emily, Grace, Nicholas, Isabella, Annie, Luke, Max, Peter, 2 little souls ++, and sweet Rose who is legally ours!
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4Real Forums : Philosophy of Education
Topic: The Spark
