Wisdom Tree Corner

https://open.substack.com/pub/petergray/p/register-here-for-june-20-online?r=2dudul&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email

Register Here for June 20 Online Meeting We will begin with a question about what school success actually measures and then go to “Ask Me Anything.”

https://letgrow.org/age-limit-policy/

What Age Should Kids LEGALLY Be Allowed to Play Outside? The age at which children can play and roam unsupervised should be up to their parents, not state laws or policies.

Entertainment captures attention. Engagement develops the brain.

Of course, there is a place for entertainment. Entertainment is enjoyable, restorative, social, and even educational at times.

But the distinction matters because entertainment and engagement are not the same thing.

This is especially important when it comes to screens. Many apps, videos, and games are designed to capture attention. They may keep a child focused on a screen, but that doesn't necessarily mean they are building focus.

This helps explain why some children can attend to a screen for two hours, yet struggle to attend to a book for two minutes.

Fast-paced, highly stimulating, constantly novel experiences provide frequent rewards and can shape what the brain expects from an activity. Over time, slower-paced activities may feel less interesting, less rewarding, and more difficult to sustain. In other words, the brain begins to expect a higher level of stimulation, making activities that require effort, patience, and persistence harder to engage with.

What develops the brain is play, movement, exploration, curiosity, conversation, creativity, imagination, problem-solving, experimentation, risk-taking, responsibility, persistence, boredom, struggle, and meaningful human connection. These experiences require children to actively participate in the world around them rather than simply consume it.

So when it comes to screens, think screen time smart. Choose intentional over constant. Choose a shared screen over an individual device whenever possible. Choose movies and shows with sequence, storyline, and depth over short-form, fast-paced videos designed to rapidly capture attention.

And perhaps most importantly, let children be bored.

Boredom is not a problem to solve. It is often the starting point for curiosity, creativity, problem-solving, play, and true engagement. If we constantly entertain children, we may unintentionally rob them of the very experiences that help their brains grow.

I'm excited to share that I recently contributed a chapter to Holistic Education Part 1: Enduring Principles and Practices, which has now been published.

This chapter explores creating a apace for awe and wonder. I am grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with fellow contributors and to share insights that I hope will benefit educators, practitioners, and learners alike.

Thank you to everyone who has supported my professional journey. I'm honored to be part of this publication and look forward to continuing this important work.

You can learn more about the book here: https://bookstore.emerald.com/holistic-education-part-1-hb-9781806863808.html

Hello everyone! I’m excited to share that I will be presenting at the 50th Annual Pacific Circle Consortium Conference at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. I’ll be in Hawaii until the 27th attending and presenting at the conference.

I may be a little slower to respond while traveling, but I’ll get back to everyone as soon as I can. Looking forward to this opportunity and to sharing more along the way! 🌺