Write Lightning is a blog from writer Deb Thompson.
Everyone is welcome here.
(Some links or topics may not be completely kid-appropriate.)
Everyone is welcome here.
(Some links or topics may not be completely kid-appropriate.)
Fri, Feb 27 2004
The Right Kind Of Child Labor
Today is John Steinbeck's birthday. Although I've always loved California, I remember trying to wade through some of his California-centered work as a teen back in the Midwest, and I would put the books down and feel completely depressed and drained. I just didn't comprehend some of the underlying themes of his writings back then, and I didn't understand why the teachers told us we would be expected to read these books if we ever wanted to get a diploma. If I had read Steinbeck now, after having lived half a century, I think I would have caught on to his tales and appreciated them a lot more. I've come to the conclusion that most formal education is wasted on the young. What children should have is rich experiences in travel and culture and meeting people firsthand. Too often we try to give children the gems we have labored for and we think we are doing them a favor and saving them a lot of hurt and trouble. We get angry and frustrated when they throw our treasures back at us. If only we could understand that our job is simply to accompany them to the edge of life and literature and to help them understand about uncovering layers and about discarding cheap glitter in favor of true gems. Their joy is to dig and to discover.
posted at: 08:01 | category: /Writing Life | link to this entry
Today is John Steinbeck's birthday. Although I've always loved California, I remember trying to wade through some of his California-centered work as a teen back in the Midwest, and I would put the books down and feel completely depressed and drained. I just didn't comprehend some of the underlying themes of his writings back then, and I didn't understand why the teachers told us we would be expected to read these books if we ever wanted to get a diploma. If I had read Steinbeck now, after having lived half a century, I think I would have caught on to his tales and appreciated them a lot more. I've come to the conclusion that most formal education is wasted on the young. What children should have is rich experiences in travel and culture and meeting people firsthand. Too often we try to give children the gems we have labored for and we think we are doing them a favor and saving them a lot of hurt and trouble. We get angry and frustrated when they throw our treasures back at us. If only we could understand that our job is simply to accompany them to the edge of life and literature and to help them understand about uncovering layers and about discarding cheap glitter in favor of true gems. Their joy is to dig and to discover.
posted at: 08:01 | category: /Writing Life | link to this entry
