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Initiative Builder
Sharing ExperiencesWhen we think about initiative, we often think about our ancestors, who traveled across oceans and boarded wagons and trains to make lives for themselves in new lands. Tell about parents and grandparents who made those voyages, who took that kind of initiative. Talk about today´s new immigrants who continue to come to America to make a better life for themselves and their children. No matter what generation of Americans we are, the immigrant spirit is part of our nature. We are people of strong ideas and strong action. This desire to make things happen burns within us and, when channeled and focused, it´s a powerful force in education. Sparking the ConversationStart with some examples of initiative. Small, everyday ideas will do. For example, let´s say it´s a weekend day, and you ask, “What will we do? Who´s got an idea?” Your child pipes in, “Let´s have a picnic.” What happens to this or to other ideas that come up at home? Children know they get serious consideration when the family decides together, yes, we can do it because ... or no, we can´t because ... As many times as it´s reasonable, follow through on a child´s idea. When the idea moves into action, the child needs a role to play. It it´s a picnic, there´s food to be bought, made and packed. Kids need this practice in order to show their initiative. Initiative Builder: Newspaper ActivityUse the newpaper to find articles of people using initiative. What are they doing? Setting off on a trip to outer space? Designing a new house? Starting a business? There are many ways in which people take action. Talk together about initiative that gets attention in the newspaper and on television and initiative that goes on daily at home. It´s not in the news, but it is important. Moving to Bigger QuestionsCan taking initiative too fast get you into trouble? If so, what kind? Can waiting too long to take action get you into trouble? Is to, what kind? Do you get lots of ideas, or do you wait for the one perfect idea to come along? There´s a wise saying: “The perfect is the enemy of good.” So try to recognize the good when you´ve got it. © Dorothy Rich, 2000. The nonprofit Home and School Institute, sponsor of the MegaSkills program, was founded by Dr. Dorothy Rich in 1964. For information about bringing MegaSkills books and programs to your school and community group, contact: The Home and School Insitute, MegaSkills Education Center; 1500 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington DC 20005. Phone: (202) 466-3633. Fax: (202) 833-1400. www.MegaSkillsHSI.org Reprinted with permission. Intro | Newspaper Tips | NIE & You | Activities | MegaSkills | |||||
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