i dont like brussel sprouts--but i may be tempted to take a bite if it happened to be drenched in gooey, cocoa goodness. for many kids, learning is something like brussel sprouts. they prod it, poke it, even make a funny face or two at it--but its still there and the hope of dessert hinges on finishing up these five repulsive enemy vegetables.
if it was up to me, learning wouldnt be brussel sprouts in the first place. theres not many kids, i knew growing up, that loved brussel sprouts. now, chocolate--thats a whole 'nother story! chocolate chip cookies, chocolate ice cream with chocolate chip cookies, chocolate ice cream with chocolate chip cookies drenched in warm, gooey, chocolate sauce...and covered in a blizzard of chocolate sprinkles! oh my! thats how learning should be; a natural attraction like kids to chocolate.
sadly, thats not the case. for many reasons, school and formal learning extinguish that natural curiousity our kids are born with. somewhere in between infancy and early childhood, that natural, insatiable desire to explore and learn is steamed
and plated--and it starts to look and smell like brussel sprouts.these are the kids im seeking to reconnect with. if i can convince them that learning can be enjoyable again, my mission is complete. i hope the games, activities and lessons will make learning engaging and fun--someth
ing that learning hasnt been to them in some time.
eventually that natural curiousity will reemerge and learning will be--to quote a very wise fictional character--like a box of chocolates; younever know what you get but youll enjoy every gooey bite.
-shaun skariah
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