Launching from Strengths–Seeing the Genius in Your Child

In the ever-evolving world of homeschooling, it’s essential to look beyond the traditional approach to education. Our journey as homeschooling parents is a unique one, and it’s vital that we embrace a holistic perspective when it comes to our children’s growth and development. Let’s dive into the idea of launching from strengths and casting a vision of potential.

The Animal School: A Lesson in Individuality

The fable of “The Animal School” by George Reavis paints a vivid picture of a school where all animals are expected to excel in the same activities. The duck excels in swimming but struggles in flying and running, leading to neglect of his strengths. The rabbit faces a nervous breakdown due to the mismatched curriculum. The squirrel, initially adept at climbing, is frustrated in the flying class, while the eagle’s unique approach to climbing leads to disciplinary action. In the end, an eel outshines them all because he is not the worst or best at anything. (https://ia802602.us.archive.org/20/items/TheAnimalSchoolIllustrate-English-GeorgeReavis/TheAnimalSchool_georgeReavis_illustrated.pdf)

The moral of the story? Every individual has unique strengths, and trying to fit them into molds that don’t suit their abilities can hinder their growth. It’s a lesson we can apply to our approach to homeschooling.

Seeing the Genius in Your Child

Albert Einstein once said, “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” This statement holds profound wisdom for homeschooling parents. Instead of trying to make our ducks into rabbits and our squirrels into eagles, what if we chose to see our children with spiritual eyes?

When you have a vision of your child’s genius—their unique gifts and strengths—you’re more likely to help them reach their true potential. Recognizing their strengths enables you to become a better mentor and teacher, tailoring your approach to their individual needs.

As parents, it’s common to focus on our children’s weaknesses and flaws. We often strive to eliminate these perceived problems at all costs. However, it’s crucial to understand that flaws are a part of being human. Overemphasizing these “problems” can exacerbate them and hinder our children from becoming their best, unique selves. What if our focus shifted to nurturing our children into who they were intended to be, allowing them to reach their full potential, not someone else’s?

Reimagining Intelligence

Psychologist Howard Gardner identified nine distinct types of intelligence in 1983, making humans unique in various ways. These include musical (music smart), bodily-kinesthetic (body smart), interpersonal (people smart), naturalistic (nature smart), intrapersonal (self smart), visual-spatial (picture smart), verbal-linguistic (word smart), and logical-mathematical (logic smart.) Yet, our educational system still primarily focuses on two of Gardner’s types: verbal-linguistic intelligence (word smart) and logical-mathematical (logic smart). This outdated approach assumes that success in life depends solely on these two areas.

However, I believe that true success comes from mastering the areas in which we are drawn to–the gifts inherent to each of us individually. As adults, we thrive based on our strengths. We make a living, share our passions, and contribute to humanity using our unique talents. So, as parents, why do we become fixated on our children’s problem areas?

In conclusion, our journey as homeschooling parents should be about nurturing the whole child, recognizing their unique genius, and focusing on their strengths. It’s time to redefine our vision of potential and encourage our children to shine in their individual ways. By doing so, we empower them to become the best versions of themselves and make a significant impact on the world.