Our Journey Towards Progressive Parenting
Hey there! Just like you, Ernita and I are on a mission to ensure our kiddos, Claire and Sebastian, grow up to be joyful and successful. In this wild world brimming with infinite parenting tips and tricks, we’ve chosen a path that allows them to explore their interests freely and learn from their unique experiences.
Kids have an innate ability to make learning fun and exciting. But sometimes, we adults can inadvertently dampen their enthusiasm with our ‘correct methods’.
A New Age of Education | Progressive Learning
As educators, we appreciate the essence of schools but also firmly believe in a nurturing, family-like environment for optimal learning. Unfortunately, many educational institutions exude a sterile atmosphere, which could be more detrimental than beneficial.
Great schools should foster an environment that promotes discovery-based learning, a love for reading and languages, arts, and ample free time at recess. Like the vibrant Montessori approach, schools should inspire children with dreams and colors, rather than the drab ‘prison-like’ designs prevalent in the US.
We firmly believe that an effective educator is someone who truly wants to help children, guiding their natural curiosity to learn and create, rather than merely prepping them for tests. As Dr. Maria Montessori famously said, teaching should address the ‘Whole Child’ – fostering growth physically, cognitively, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.
The Great Outdoors: Nature as a Classroom
In addition to the above, we’re also sharing our personal love for nature. While it leans towards Ernita’s and my interests, it’s a healthy one. If our kids ever express a passion for climbing, hiking, and being outdoors, we’d be overjoyed. But even if they don’t, we’re happy to create lifelong memories as a family by exposing them to diverse environments and keeping them engaged with the world.
If you’re keen on introducing your kids to the great outdoors, here are some activities we regularly enjoy with our children:
Started Claire on her first crag at two months old.
Invest in a child carrier.
Minimize stroller use.
Spend time outside frequently.
Make sure it’s always FUN!
Research appropriate gear.
Ask them where they want to go, rather than what they want to do.
Fostering a Growth Mindset
Through these activities and more, we’re encouraging our children to develop a ‘Growth Mindset’. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, it refers to the belief that intelligence and abilities can continually evolve with practice and effort. Isn’t that something we all want for our kids?
Children with a growth mindset:
View mistakes as opportunities to learn and grow.
Separate their performance from their self-worth.
Believe that hard work leads to success.
Feel inspired by others’ success.
While these strategies are beneficial, we must also accept that our children may not share our passion for the outdoors. All we can hope for is that they have the opportunity to explore this path if they choose to, along with the self-confidence to make their own choices. We must trust that our kids will make the right decisions, given the appropriate support, attention, and care.
Stick around for more family-oriented content and insight into our adventures with our children. If you have any questions about parenting styles or would like to learn more, don’t hesitate to drop us a comment below. Let’s navigate this exciting journey of parenthood together!
Emmanuel Lacoste