As a retired teacher and headteacher I can truly say that if you could sum up my “vision” for education it was to get children to love learning. The old labour curriculum supported schools to do that: the more recent curriculum forces learning for its own sake into extra curricular clubs. I also love learning - and still read, join courses and workshops etc at the age of 65. We are hard wired to be curious and to want to know more but it has to be fostered to really make learning a habit.
YES to getting children to love learning! That was my vision too. For me, it didn’t matter what they were learning (and I was often frustrated by the English national curriculum’s focus on English and Maths when many children are gifted at and excited by other subjects). If they love it, then I love to foster that in them!
My grandmother always said: never go to bed without having learned something.
I think we are (and should be curious to be) lifelong learners. It's what makes life so much more alive and interesting and connects us to others and ourselves.
I love the quote from your grandfather! I often admire that generation and wonder how much has changed between then and now. I’m glad you enjoyed the essay ✨
I love your essay, Holly. So wonderful that all your internal learning and holding of knowledge is now ready for all of us to be inspired by. A gift to your son too. Best wishes as you meander along on your curious path🫶🏼
A really lovely essay, Holly. So encouraging to all.
Over thirty years ago we returned to my home,the UK, the children having spent the early years of their education in the Middle East at an English school. My youngest child’s new UK teacher embraced the environmental and learning differences (sloping roofs of houses being used in maths lesson but my child drew the flat roof of what had been home until a few weeks ago) The teacher used this to explain different climates to the children. The ten year old was not so fortunate and her questioning attitude, so much encouraged abroad was seen as challenging the teacher’s knowledge (even though they said her manners and behaviour were excellent) Secondary school thankfully was better. However, during the year she was ten, we did have to pop back to the Middle East for a few months and her old school remarked that although they could tell she was pleased to be back she was very quiet and not speaking up in lessons as much as before.
It all reminded me of the time when in playgroup in England as a three year old she was told off for leaving the craft table and taking her little chair over to the bookcase where she was found engrossed in the books. I did eventually find another playgroup that would accept this ‘behaviour’. Many years later she graduated with a degree in English Literature from a London University.
Loved this! Makes me appreciate even more one of the luckiest aspects of my youth. I was fortunate to go to a magnet high school for science & math. I’ve often told people that the best thing about that experience wasn’t the classes (though the classes were great) — the best thing was being surrounded by other high school kids who also loved science and also loved learning. It let me leave behind the “it’s uncool to like school” attitude of middle school at a much earlier age. Anyway, your essay reminds me how rare this opportunity was for me and makes me appreciate it more. I’m REALLY happy for you, that you’ve now able to pursue your love of history!
Just read a political 'stack where the author asked what reading made her subscribers smarter. 120 replies listing nothing but relentless partisan writing, all in complete agreement. Those subscribers aren't learning anything
I mean that there’s nothing one can read that is capable of making one inherently more intelligent. If she had asked what they had read that had transformed their world view or the way they live their lives, those would have been valid questions that deserved good answers
Absolutely. You are the boss. No disrespect intended. Just want to bring value to your site. Wish someone would come to mine and rattle a few cages : )
I really liked your essay and your story, Holly. Not only because you make some great points, but you bared your soul and that takes courage.
I think I have always loved learning, and I know it’s been driven by curiosity.
Curiosity is not what killed the cat but the engine that drives our learning. Having said that, I know my curiosity has led me a little too much in the ‘killed the cat’ direction sometimes. But I’m still here and I’m still learning so the balance must be right.
Stay curious and enjoy your continuing studies! I look forward to reading about your progress!
Thank you for your kind words! It felt very exposing to share something much more personal than my usual history writing, but it seems to have resonated with a lot of readers. I will endeavour to stay curious!
Love this essay and commitment to life-long-learning. My life philosophy is not never stop learning. I lived 4 years internationally and have traveled extensively for an American.
My first year living back in the US was difficult. Shallow conversations. I wanted to ask everyone, “What are you reading?” “What adventures are you pursuing?” “What hobbies are you trying?” “What have you done new?” These were not popular conversation-starters as it turned out.
I’ve found my groove now and try to speak with a stranger daily…I can always learn something from them.
This is such a wonderful essay Holly, I still (age 60) teach children with learning difficulties and there have been days when I wanted to cry, so many of them, there have been days when I feel my time wasted and wished with all my heart a different career would present itself. But then come moments of epiphany, a child that understands and because of that albeit limited comprehension has a desire to learn more... they are rare important minutes that are not always easily recognised but they are there. Curiosity we are born with, the ability to know how to be sometimes less so - it is the job of every human to show children how whether teachers or not. In the end we are all teachers. 🙏🏼
I can surely resonate your frustration when you go through the books and show on your own. Unfortunately in today’s time reading a book or being curious is curse. Thanks for sharing it.
A wonderful read and a story I wish people would share more often. So much of the gap and its inherent frictions between us and understanding is being filled in by ultra-direct, flat, and frictionless short-cuts. We don’t see the value of wrestling with knowledge anymore, because it’s hard, and we could lose, and to lose is indicative of an innate cognitive deprivation.
Carol Dweck puts it like this:
“We have lots of sayings that stress the importance of risk and the power of persistence, such as "Nothing ventured, nothing gained" and "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again" or "Rome wasn't built in a day." What is truly amazing is that people with the fixed mindset would not agree. For them, it's "Nothing ventured, nothing lost." "If at first you don't succeed, you probably don't have the ability." "If Rome wasn't built in a day, maybe it wasn't meant to be." In other words, risk and effort are two things that might reveal your inadequacies and show that you were not up to the task.”
Curiosity is expensive. It cost’s one’s ignorance, and for many, that’s there source of bliss. But as you show, curiosity is rarely an expense and almost always an investment—an investment that pays in the ability to see the world with greater nuance and depth. Thank you for sharing this important perspective!
I can't wait to read more of both Substacks. Poignant and reflective. I'm a nerdy folk to ( obsessed with Anthropology & History) I can resonate with the quietness reflected on my report cards. As an adult, I have so many interests and areas of life long learning & exploration there isn't enough time in a day to pursue it all :) Being a life long learner & cultivating it as a mindset, practice & approach is beautifully reflected through this essay. Thank you for sharing it.
As a retired teacher and headteacher I can truly say that if you could sum up my “vision” for education it was to get children to love learning. The old labour curriculum supported schools to do that: the more recent curriculum forces learning for its own sake into extra curricular clubs. I also love learning - and still read, join courses and workshops etc at the age of 65. We are hard wired to be curious and to want to know more but it has to be fostered to really make learning a habit.
Great article thank you.
YES to getting children to love learning! That was my vision too. For me, it didn’t matter what they were learning (and I was often frustrated by the English national curriculum’s focus on English and Maths when many children are gifted at and excited by other subjects). If they love it, then I love to foster that in them!
My grandmother always said: never go to bed without having learned something.
I think we are (and should be curious to be) lifelong learners. It's what makes life so much more alive and interesting and connects us to others and ourselves.
Thanks for this essay!
I love the quote from your grandfather! I often admire that generation and wonder how much has changed between then and now. I’m glad you enjoyed the essay ✨
I love your essay, Holly. So wonderful that all your internal learning and holding of knowledge is now ready for all of us to be inspired by. A gift to your son too. Best wishes as you meander along on your curious path🫶🏼
Thank you Charlene! ✨
Learning can guide and fill out your life. Curiosity is what makes us human.
🙌
A really lovely essay, Holly. So encouraging to all.
Over thirty years ago we returned to my home,the UK, the children having spent the early years of their education in the Middle East at an English school. My youngest child’s new UK teacher embraced the environmental and learning differences (sloping roofs of houses being used in maths lesson but my child drew the flat roof of what had been home until a few weeks ago) The teacher used this to explain different climates to the children. The ten year old was not so fortunate and her questioning attitude, so much encouraged abroad was seen as challenging the teacher’s knowledge (even though they said her manners and behaviour were excellent) Secondary school thankfully was better. However, during the year she was ten, we did have to pop back to the Middle East for a few months and her old school remarked that although they could tell she was pleased to be back she was very quiet and not speaking up in lessons as much as before.
It all reminded me of the time when in playgroup in England as a three year old she was told off for leaving the craft table and taking her little chair over to the bookcase where she was found engrossed in the books. I did eventually find another playgroup that would accept this ‘behaviour’. Many years later she graduated with a degree in English Literature from a London University.
I’m glad you found it encouraging! And thank you for sharing your experiences with your own children’s worldwide travels.
Loved this! Makes me appreciate even more one of the luckiest aspects of my youth. I was fortunate to go to a magnet high school for science & math. I’ve often told people that the best thing about that experience wasn’t the classes (though the classes were great) — the best thing was being surrounded by other high school kids who also loved science and also loved learning. It let me leave behind the “it’s uncool to like school” attitude of middle school at a much earlier age. Anyway, your essay reminds me how rare this opportunity was for me and makes me appreciate it more. I’m REALLY happy for you, that you’ve now able to pursue your love of history!
And I’m so happy for you that you had a really positive experience at school! As you say, it can be such a rarity.
Just read a political 'stack where the author asked what reading made her subscribers smarter. 120 replies listing nothing but relentless partisan writing, all in complete agreement. Those subscribers aren't learning anything
You’ve got to admit it’s a daft question, though, so perhaps it deserved poor answers?
what reading makes you smarter? is a daft question?? Not following
I mean that there’s nothing one can read that is capable of making one inherently more intelligent. If she had asked what they had read that had transformed their world view or the way they live their lives, those would have been valid questions that deserved good answers
Smart (Merriam-Webster): having or showing a high degree of mental ability, intelligent, bright
You can absolutely get smarter, especially thru reading. I have never met anyone who would dispute this. You are waay out there
Let's keep the dialog civil. We can have differing ideas without making it personal.
Absolutely. You are the boss. No disrespect intended. Just want to bring value to your site. Wish someone would come to mine and rattle a few cages : )
I really liked your essay and your story, Holly. Not only because you make some great points, but you bared your soul and that takes courage.
I think I have always loved learning, and I know it’s been driven by curiosity.
Curiosity is not what killed the cat but the engine that drives our learning. Having said that, I know my curiosity has led me a little too much in the ‘killed the cat’ direction sometimes. But I’m still here and I’m still learning so the balance must be right.
Stay curious and enjoy your continuing studies! I look forward to reading about your progress!
Thank you for your kind words! It felt very exposing to share something much more personal than my usual history writing, but it seems to have resonated with a lot of readers. I will endeavour to stay curious!
Love this essay and commitment to life-long-learning. My life philosophy is not never stop learning. I lived 4 years internationally and have traveled extensively for an American.
My first year living back in the US was difficult. Shallow conversations. I wanted to ask everyone, “What are you reading?” “What adventures are you pursuing?” “What hobbies are you trying?” “What have you done new?” These were not popular conversation-starters as it turned out.
I’ve found my groove now and try to speak with a stranger daily…I can always learn something from them.
This is such a wonderful essay Holly, I still (age 60) teach children with learning difficulties and there have been days when I wanted to cry, so many of them, there have been days when I feel my time wasted and wished with all my heart a different career would present itself. But then come moments of epiphany, a child that understands and because of that albeit limited comprehension has a desire to learn more... they are rare important minutes that are not always easily recognised but they are there. Curiosity we are born with, the ability to know how to be sometimes less so - it is the job of every human to show children how whether teachers or not. In the end we are all teachers. 🙏🏼
I can surely resonate your frustration when you go through the books and show on your own. Unfortunately in today’s time reading a book or being curious is curse. Thanks for sharing it.
This is so good and something I try and I still in my primary school class. Not just in the class but outside too. Wonderful piece.
A wonderful read and a story I wish people would share more often. So much of the gap and its inherent frictions between us and understanding is being filled in by ultra-direct, flat, and frictionless short-cuts. We don’t see the value of wrestling with knowledge anymore, because it’s hard, and we could lose, and to lose is indicative of an innate cognitive deprivation.
Carol Dweck puts it like this:
“We have lots of sayings that stress the importance of risk and the power of persistence, such as "Nothing ventured, nothing gained" and "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again" or "Rome wasn't built in a day." What is truly amazing is that people with the fixed mindset would not agree. For them, it's "Nothing ventured, nothing lost." "If at first you don't succeed, you probably don't have the ability." "If Rome wasn't built in a day, maybe it wasn't meant to be." In other words, risk and effort are two things that might reveal your inadequacies and show that you were not up to the task.”
Curiosity is expensive. It cost’s one’s ignorance, and for many, that’s there source of bliss. But as you show, curiosity is rarely an expense and almost always an investment—an investment that pays in the ability to see the world with greater nuance and depth. Thank you for sharing this important perspective!
I can't wait to read more of both Substacks. Poignant and reflective. I'm a nerdy folk to ( obsessed with Anthropology & History) I can resonate with the quietness reflected on my report cards. As an adult, I have so many interests and areas of life long learning & exploration there isn't enough time in a day to pursue it all :) Being a life long learner & cultivating it as a mindset, practice & approach is beautifully reflected through this essay. Thank you for sharing it.
A lovely essay, thank you for sharing. I also live in South Yorkshire, UK! (Not in a rural village though).