Projects have become a source of dread for parents across the globe as the push for project based learning has met with high stakes testing and competition. The result is that many kidsin high school have never done any of their own projects.
That is right. The leprechaun trap from first grade was done by Mom and Dad and the awesome science fair project was something the kid didn’t even know existed and Mom even completed the poster – doing a quick tutorial right before the science fair.
This is a complete disservice to kids.
Failure is powerful. It is at the edge between failure and success that real learning and growth happens. When our kids never have a chance to experience that thrill (and sometimes defeat), we rob them of the chance to develop fully. That isn’t the intention, but it is definitely the result. These kids can become depressed and wash out with the first sign of a challenge. That is a waste of potential.
I am not saying that you throw the kids in the backyard and say, “fend for yourself”. I am not suggesting raising our kids Lord of the Flies style, but backing off just a little. You will find that you enjoy the projects a lot more when you are helping when they need specific help and watching them grow.
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How do you foster independence in projects? The steps to an independent project
The number one reason that student projects are often not completed by the student is time. All parents have been brought the crumpled up paper from last week about a project due tomorrow. Let them stay up and finish it or not.
The other issue with time is that there just doesn’t seem to be enough of it. You might have a kid that is completely on top of things, but the project notice is now behind four other things on the refrigerator and time slipped away.
I suggest creating a family calendar (we use the calendar by google) and creating a time every day where school assignments and other activities are placed on the calendar and discussed. Don’t forget to make time to work on the project in the calendar. This will get better in time. Remember that we are attempting to foster independence so that it will grow.
In this day and age of infinite information, there just doesn’t seem to be enough time to get it all done. To put it bluntly, it is because there isn’t.
The theory of the Knowledge Doubling Curve says that we used to see a doubling in knowledge every century, then following WWII it was every 25 years, the current rate is around every 12 months, and the projected rate is every 12 hours*. That means that we need to spend some time helping kids create background knowledge for their projects.
I am going to show my age, but kids today have it so much easier than when I was younger. The internet is an explosion of resources to help inspire.
The disclaimer being that for young minds, it can also be stifling. Strike a balance between inspiration and feeling like there is not room left for creativity. Allow the kids to put their own stamp on things.
Brainstorming needs to be taught. Guide the kids through the process so that they can get the hang of it. I will admit this it not an area of strength that I have. I tend to express judgement, which then strangles creativity.
The key is to be open and let the information flow (although guidelines for decorum may be necessary) . Check out the resources here and here for a little help.
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Provide training on tools
Assist with work that is beyond the scope of their age, but work at their discretion. Kids (like most people) love to be the boss. If we don’t follow their lead they won’t understand that being the boss isn’t just about power, but also responsibility
Check in. You can even prod. If they don’t get it done, let them fail. Failure isn’t bad in and of itself.
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