Let's start today with today's video replay: Watch Day 3 Here​

Yesterday we talked about the formula for learning (Motivation + Information). If you missed that email, you can read it here. But I didn't want to just leave the conversation there, because one of the biggest misconceptions I hear when parents first begin learning about self-directed education is this idea that if we believe motivation is important, then we should never expose our children to anything unless they ask for it first.

That's not what I'm saying at all.

It's a problem I see a LOT in the Unschooling world specifically. An almost resistance to providing information out of the fear of ruining motivation. There is deep deconstruction work to be done here. Because the last thing we want to do is accidentally block opportunities for information that could be meaningful in the future.

In fact, I would argue that one of our greatest responsibilities as parents is to create lives that are rich with information and experiences. And when we understand the psychology of motivation and how it shows up in our lives, we can do this even more. Anyway... make sure you watch today's video for more about this. No need for me to repeat myself.... I have something else I want to talk about now....

Yesterday we talked about the fact that motivation can't be standardized. And we're going to keep talking about this for a few days. Because it is critical that we deconstruct how the standardization of education has affected us as a society.

Every child/human is motivated by different things, at different times, and for different reasons. We know this. We believe this. We can't argue this.

So what happens when we build an educational system that does have to be standardized? Because systems have to be standardized to be functional. No business can run well or for long if it's systems are a wreck or non-existent. But that becomes a real problem when the system is designed around the human experience.

When you try to standardize that, you destroy the individuality. There's no other choice. The two simply can't co-exist. You cannot standardize the human experience. You cannot standardize motivation. You cannot standardize learning.

But they sure have tried over the years in the education system. But instead of protecting and nurturing motivation, we have just slowly replaced it with things like grades, gold stars on behavior charts, attendance awards, etc.

Little by little, we've made kids (and now generations of adults) believe that external validation is the same thing as internal motivation. That we should be desiring these external things as a reflection of our internal motivators.

If you don't care about getting straight As something must be wrong with you! The kid who magically didn't get sick for a full year and has perfect attendance so they're naturally better students.

Ridiculous. Those things aren't motivation. They're rewards.

And there's a really important difference between the two:

Motivation comes from within. Rewards come from someone else.

When we teach children to strive for external validation handed out by authority figures while simultaneously calling that motivation, we break them. We break their human experience. And that trauma is something that is really REALLY hard to come back from.

Ok enough for today. Let's shift to our action:

Today, keep it simple, and reflect on your invitations to information. How are you inviting your children to receive information and experiences without the pressure or performance attached to it?

If you're a Bridge Academy family, there's a bonus worksheet and discussion for you in the Portal. Head on over.

If your child is not enrolled in Bridge Academy, we would love to welcome you into our family! We're a private K-12 school supporting homeschoolers all around the world. We handle all of your paperwork and documentation, give your child an official transcript (and diploma upon graduation, offer a plethora of curriculum and resources, support your unique child's journey, and offer what is undoubtedly the best community you could ever be a part of. And the best part? It's the most affordable thing you've probably ever seen in the education world. I guarantee it. 🤯 Come join us!​

Tomorrow I want to take this one step further, because this deconstruction is where we begin to see the ripple effect.

If we spend years measuring children with standardized grades, standardized tests, and standardized expectations...what does that teach them success actually is?

And maybe an even bigger question... Who decided that was success in the first place?

I'll see you tomorrow.

🫶🏽 Leah