Fostering Frontiers of Knowledge in Youth
What if you don’t have the answers to a child’s questions? What if you can’t even begin to guess? That’s okay. In fact, it may be even better for a child’s development!
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Going Full “Steam” Ahead
When stereotypes are shattered, girls realize they can accomplish great things, and not let social prejudice hold them back, especially in the important areas of the disciplines known as STEAM—for science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. Take the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing, a rollicking event held annually since 2006 that now draws … Read more
The Lessons Of A Lemonade Stand
Little girls are naturally imaginative and industrious. In class or at home, learning that they can make their ideas a reality sparks their motivation. With a bit of encouragement, they will find ways to be productive, leading to a lifetime foundation of self direction and self confidence. After entrepreneur Michael Holthouse sold his telecommunications company … Read more
Girls Can Become Entrepreneurs Before They Even Start School
Most 5-year-olds have not yet been to school, and don’t yet understand what it is to make a failing grade. What better time to introduce them to the entrepreneurial skill of learning from successive failures? Testing, trying, failing, rethinking, adjusting, failing again, wisely—this cycle is designed into Entrepreneurship 101 for 5- to 7-year-olds. We ensure … Read more
Let Children Grow By Following Their Interests
“It took me four years to paint like Raphael but a lifetime to paint like a child,” Pablo Picasso once said. Too often, children lose the confidence to follow their interests because of an educational system that is test-obsessed and focused on correct answers instead of creative problem-solving. The loss can be gradual, subtle and … Read more
Encourage Girls to Identify Problems and Find Soultions
For young girls, every day is a new adventure of first-time experiences, discovering boundaries along the way. The entrepreneurial twist is to encourage girls to identify their problems and think about solutions to frustrations, focusing and improving on their ideas, with just enough guidance and assistance from grown-ups. When I teach 5-year-olds, I’m continually struck … Read more
Measure The Quest For Knowledge
Over the last six posts, I’ve outlined six of the seven strategies for encouraging creativity and curiosity in young girls, which I’ve identified through my own work and teaching, and through the findings that Frans Johannson explored in his book The Medici Effect. So far, I’ve introduced you to strategies for: Reawakening a drive in children … Read more
Intergrate Art and Design to Encourage Girls in Science
All science touches on art; all art has a scientific side. The worst scientist is he who is not an artist; the worst artist is he who is no scientist. — Armand Trousseau, noted 19th-century French physician In my last several posts, I’ve been outlining strategies for encouraging creativity in girls, and in developing their … Read more
Help Girls to Learn How Creative Steam Can Be
Over my last few posts, you’ve discovered four of the seven strategies that I’ve been outlining for you that can help you encourage creativity and curiosity in girls. So far, I’ve explored the need to reawaken a drive in children, to encourage children to learn differently, to allow children’s play to be a creative outlet … Read more