Education through Experiences

Learning doesn’t just have to happen in the classroom but through life experiences. The world is changing rapidly, and it is increasingly essential to show young children unique life and career opportunities. From the day my daughter, Pearl, was born, I knew I wanted to show her everything I am involved in to give her a diverse view of what her life could be.

Here are a few things I have done with her over the years and some advice for parents wanting to give their children a similar experience.

• Being a part of a community is crucial, and it is important to surround children with people who can help them see potential and develop skill sets. Real-life situations show children what is out there. Furthermore, children need to learn how to rely on their community. It is okay not to have all the answers and teaching them how to ask for help early on is greatly beneficial.

• Volunteering at events can also be a great way to showcase new ideas and opportunities. Children can disarm people in a room, make them think differently, and set better examples. I love taking Pearl into big rooms and watching her thrive in that unique environment. Of course, parents must be careful about how visible their children are to the public in terms of photos and appearances. If children have profound experiences growing up through community involvement, they are more likely to plant their roots and stay here.

• Parents can involve their children in small business activities and pass down the spirit of hard work, service, and community. They can also show their children what they know, exposing them to appropriate opportunities in the workplace and enrolling them in programs in our area like Junior Achievement, Girl Scouts/ Scouts, or EmBe programming.

Learning opportunities come in many ways, and taking the time to expose your children to all that life has to offer can only set them on a path to a fulfilling life. l

by Laura Hanson