This brief composition is a poem penned by Johannes, the 6-year-old eldest son of a friend, dedicated to his mother, Monica, during my visit to their family in Germany years ago. Johannes illustrated a night sky adorned with whimsically crooked stars, accompanying it with this heartfelt poem written in his endearing yet unsteady handwriting. He presented it as a gift to his mother, Monica.
Monica, appreciating the sincerity of her son's gesture, affixed the poem to one side of the wall using scotch tape. Over time, however, the artwork yielded its place to another vividly colored creation. Nevertheless, this ingenious poem profoundly touched me, a weary traveler who had flown in from California, 6,000 miles away. It is a story I revisit frequently, underscoring the genius creativity inherent in children whenever the topic arises.
Many parents believe their children are geniuses. Although I'm not a parent, I have dedicated a significant amount of time to observing and working with children, and I can affirm that this statement is undoubtedly true. Dr. George Land, an expert on creativity, validated this notion through his research, demonstrating that 98% of children between the ages of 4 and 5 exhibit genius creativity. However, as the years pass—5 or 10 years later—the remarkable imagination and unfiltered expression that characterized these genius children seem to vanish. Rather than disappearing outright, it appears to be concealed. Dr. Land attributes this transformation to the influence of schooling.
​The current education system, a relic from the Industrial Revolution, is a mass-produced model that demands clear-cut, black-and-white answers to delineate right from wrong. This system prioritizes mechanical training, aiming to instill in teachers a concrete understanding of what is correct or incorrect, neglecting the individualized time needed for dozens or hundreds of students to express their questions or opinions. This era emphasized memorization and the dissemination of vast amounts of information.
​Furthermore, today's children, immersed in the Internet and various digital devices, appear to be adjusting to stimulation rather than cultivating imagination. They are also more inclined to consume created content rather than express their creativity, and this shift is happening much faster than the pace of 5- 10 years Dr. Land suggested in his research.
​The world has already awarded the gold medal in the Knowledge Olympics to Artificial Intelligence, possessing vastly superior knowledge and skills compared to humans. We now inhabit a world where the central focus of education is no longer on memorizing and regurgitating copious information. Indeed, this should never have been the essence of education from the outset. AI excels at making logical inferences based on its comprehensive knowledge and can also thrive in areas demanding creativity, such as art and music.
​So, what about us, humans? Parents inquire: What about our children? With the ascent of AI, should we prioritize teaching our children coding over English or Math? How do we ensure our children don't fall behind? What programs can we enroll them in to guarantee they emerge as number one in their chosen field? It's a stark contrast to the times when they used to believe their child was a genius.
​ To every devoted parent, whose love for their children knows no bounds and whose willingness to go above and beyond is unwavering, I share a perspective as someone who isn't a parent but was once a child.
​Encourage your children to play, granting them the space to explore their imagination freely. Allow them the much needed time for rest, and, most importantly, take a genuine interest in their stories. Join in their imaginative adventures, and when you encounter their unique and fascinating ideas, celebrate them, expressing that you find their creativity just as fun and exciting. This positive reinforcement will ignite their excitement, encouraging them to dive deeper into their imagination, create more, and eagerly share their creations and ideas. Children possess a genius that often surpasses our expectations, and this brilliance truly flourishes when they engage in activities they passionately love.
​What children really need is neither coding nor advanced learning. Through active play and exploration, they can cultivate their imagination, discovering what brings them genuine joy and love. Experiencing the essence of life and pure happiness in activities they love is a profound aspect that AI can never replicate.
​Identifying a child's passion is not a matter of enrolling them in academies or dictating choices for them. Instead, it involves providing them with the time and freedom to engage in a variety of direct and indirect experiences, allowing them to reflect on these encounters. So, what should parents do? Shower their kids with generous encouragement and praise, fostering the confidence they need. These are the same affirmations that, as children, parents themselves yearned for from their own parents.