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About Education Next Newsletter

Hello All,

I hope you had a good week.

This week, we had to take a short trip to see our aunt, who is not doing well.

We discussed early how to stay on task so our rhythm does not work.

As a parent, seeing my son seamlessly work and learn from wherever he is has reinforced my belief that independent learning gives kids autonomy, which is crucial to work. In contrast, traditional learning environments can stifle a child's enthusiasm.

Most parents always expect their kids to be independent, but they need to understand that our traditional system does not give kids the freedom to work with responsibility.

Content This Week:

1. The Need to work independently

2. Learning from Jensen Huang’s Childhood

3. Digital Texting Skills

4. 88 Thought Leaders Feature

The Decline in Independent Work 

The decline in independent activities has led to a rise in mental disorders among children and teens. 

This is according to a research summary by Peter Gray, which shows that a decrease in opportunities for kids to play, roam, and participate in unsupervised activities is the leading cause of this trend.

Independent activities are essential because they promote mental well-being in the short and long term. 

In the short term, they provide immediate satisfaction; in the long term, they build mental characteristics that enable people to deal with life's stresses more effectively. 

This research explains how the decline in children's opportunities for independent activities has coincided with a decrease in their mental health. 

It also highlights how independent activities promote immediate happiness and long-term psychological resilience.

The study looks at the relationship between independent activities and well-being from the perspectives of self-determination theory and evolutionary mismatch. 

Jensen Huang co-founded Nvidia in 1993 and is now the CEO and president of the company, which is famous for its advanced graphics chips.

When he was nine years old, he and his older brother were sent to the U.S. as unaccompanied minors.

Unfortunately, due to a misunderstanding, they were initially sent to a boarding school for "troubled youth." This challenging experience undoubtedly shaped Huang's resilience and adaptability.

He was Resilient

"Every student smoked, and I think I was the only boy at the school without a pocketknife," Huang said.

His roommate was illiterate; in exchange for teaching him to read,

"He taught me how to bench-press. I ended up doing a hundred pushups every night before bed." - Huang to The NewYorker

According to a friend of Huang's named Bayes, who spoke with The New Yorker, Huang endured constant bullying. "To reach school, Huang crossed a rickety footbridge over a river.

He was Bullied

"These swinging bridges, they were very high," Bayes said. "It was old planks, and most of them were missing." While crossing the bridge, local boys sometimes grabbed the ropes and tried to dislodge Huang.

"Somehow, it never seemed to affect him," Bayes said. "He just shook it off." By the end of the school year, Huang was leading those same kids on adventures into the woods. 

Despite facing challenges early on in the United States, he never allowed them to hinder his pursuit of knowledge, innovation, and success. This unwavering spirit is a testament to his strength and serves as an inspiration to others facing adversity.

In today's digital age, it's common to see kids communicating with their friends, families, and mentors through text messages. A

As a result, they need to develop the necessary skills to respond appropriately and respectfully. 

Understanding and following basic etiquette is crucial, especially when conversing with elders. 

This skill is helpful for personal communication and can also be beneficial in professional collaborations. 

Texting is an effective and convenient way to communicate, and mastering the art of texting can be a valuable asset in various aspects of life.

• Purposeful Communication: Talk to kids about using WhatsApp for focused messages rather than disjointed, single-word texts.

• Mindful Spelling and Grammar: Even in conversation, emphasize the importance of reasonably accurate spelling and avoiding excessive abbreviations.

• Greeting and Closing: Teach children to start conversations with a greeting like "Hello" or "Good Morning" and end politely with a "Thank you" where applicable.

Read more below:

Looking for a fun and creative way to beat boredom? Look no further than Neal.fun!

This incredible website is a treasure trove of engaging activities and quirky games that will spark your child's imagination.

From interactive simulations to fascinating facts, Neal has crafted a collection of creative ideas that turn learning into play.

It's not just entertaining; it's a fantastic tool to nurture your child's creativity.

Dive into the world of project-based learning with me!

🚀 Join me and my mom as we explore the joy of working on projects, building, and even breaking things!

🛠️ In this episode, I share my unique approach to learning through hands-on experiences.

You can watch the entire episode by clicking on the link provided.

Read more here

The Washington Post's findings highlight homeschooling as a rapidly expanding educational choice, supporting the notion that homeschooling plays a pivotal role in reshaping the educational landscape

Recognizing the need for a profound shift in our educational approach, EducationNext and the MaNaBu Movement call upon 88 thought leaders to contribute their insights towards reforming education.

Our collective aspiration is to mould a future where personalized learning takes the lead, nurturing creativity, innovation, and tailored learning experiences for future generations. 

Join us on this transformative voyage toward a more vibrant educational landscape.

Today we feature, co-founder Aanand of StayQrious

We discuss:

• How Education is evolving

• How Millenial Parents are different

• Young Kids need Autonomy

Hope you enjoyed reading the newsletter, see you soon!

Bye,

Priyanka