School has started and it is delicious.
We are studying quantum physics, but without the calculations, so it's considered "philosophy of science." We've also been discussing why and how people learn what they learn, and uncovering that it often quite political.
Thinking back to the very beginnings of education, I remember my time working at a preschool with lovely kids and teachers. Many of the rules in place were intended to encourage the kiddos to interact respectfully with one another, and to stay safe. Some of the rules, however, were created to keep chaos from arising. For example, it was not allowed for a child to build a fort using the chairs, scarves, and blocks, because the scarves and blocks were two separate activities (and needed to be played with one at a time), and the chairs stayed at the table. Without these rules, the play areas would be a complete disaster all of the time. It made complete sense, from an adult perspective, but not to the child who wanted to build the fort.
I often wonder how much of my education in the past has been inspired by the desire to make it easier on the teacher and compatible with the systems in place.
It is with much gratitude that I begin this quarter at school. It is time to question everything.
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