WHY DO YOU DANCE?

On a recent flight I happened to watch a documentary called "In Search of Greatness" from the AOS (Art of Sport). It was fascinating because some of the most famous athletes (Wayne Gretzky and Jerry Rice) were preaching that PLAYING = CREATIVITY. They advocated for more UNSTRUCTURED PLAY AND FREE TIME so children can use their imaginations and be creative. WOW! Do you think we could get those guys to run for school board? One of the quotes I wrote down was:

You don’t dance because it’s good for you…

You dance because you are happy!

It's true, when you are intrinsically motivated and excited it just comes bubbling out in joy.  In the same way...

Children don’t want to learn because it’s good for them.

They want to learn if it’s fun and it makes them happy!

So, just to let you know, I'm not going anywhere until teachers and children are a little happier and having more fun.  The world keeps changing, but children are the same.  They want to be loved and they want to have fun!  Teachers do, too, but many times their hands are tied.  After almost 50 years in education I can confidently say to some administrators, " You might be winning the battle, but you are losing the war."  A number on a test score is not nearly as important as lifelong feelings about learning and friendship. At the end of the day it will not matter if they master 100 sight words in kindergarten, but it will matter if they don't feel good about themselves!  

SHUT YOUR DOOR AND SING LOUD 

AND DANCE YOUR HEART OUT!