Ep. 115 - Developing Clear-Headed, Unbiased Thinkers

BIG PICTURE Social Emotional Learning Podcast

We see so much division, and it's terrifying some of us. People trying to change others opinions is not doing much more than splitting us further apart, because (research has proven, beyond a doubt) people will ground into their own opinions, their own biases, their own perspectives when they experience differences of opinions and ideas. What to do? Give children, starting at an earlier age, thinking skills, unbiased analysis skills and critical thinking skills. Critical doesn't mean criticizing - it just implies the ability to analyze and consider from various points before coming to well-informed conclusions by objectively (as objectively as possible - we’re all human, after all) considering how those different points of view rest within our own values. From my own experiences as a teacher for over 20 years, I’ve seen, time again, consistently, that we can do this with today's youth. We can and we must do this in a way that is empowering to all parties. Students, youth, young children and us adults, as well. Mutual respect is the key. Because If we don't trust people's innate humanity, their innate capacity for compassion to see things from other people's point of view, which is empathy, (different from compassion - which is caring about other’s challenges, suffering, etc). Every child, every adult's ability to view from compassion and then from empathy,then we are starting at a place that is not respectful and does not invite mutual respect. … And that cannot be the model of how humanity keeps trodding along now, because it’s not going to end well. Who doesn’t see the cliff we're heading towards? We can do something about it. We can and it requires a mind shift. But not an impossible mind shift, not one that doesn't make sense to all of us really if we take a breath and consider it the value of it. What is the shift? Sitting with a group of children, it's always best, in my experience to do this work with a group of children. So they can find out how much in alignment their developing values are And so you will see in the podcast that I host, the Big Picture Social Emotional Learning podcast that every guest is someone who in their own way from their own perspective - from early child educators to art teachers to people who understand ADHD. This can and does work to everyone's benefit. Short term and long term. So we can veer away from the cliff that’s drawing us closer and closer to our own self-imposed divisive havoc So. Here I am, back on the podcast. I've been traveling out of the country. Partly I needed some rest and relaxation and partly because It's a big world that we live on, this planet has given rise to so many different cultural values and success in ways that the United States can learn from. It's been a fascinating journey and I don't want it to stop. I want to share conversations and ideas that need to be shared for everyone's benefit. How could this be wrong? How could it not be right? I don't want to be enemies with anyone. I want us to realize that We're all in this together. The bombs and the wars happening make you realize that we are affected by everything even if it's on the other side of the planet. We are affected. And we can have an effect with our impact on today's youth. We can have very positive effect by helping them to be thinkers to analyze things, to not just be in reaction mode all the time or in fear-based mindset that is so reactionary, emotional. We've got to move away from that. Win win. Really can work. Where no one needs to be afraid because one side is doing well, so that means the other side is not. That is a model that is so old and so based in a very, very unwise way. That model has seemed to serve certain people who thought dividing people is the way to weaken the majority...But we don't have to be divided. If we move in mutual respect. I hope you'll consider that and continue to listen to this, the Big Picture Social Emotional Learning podcast.