Prepared: What Kids Need for a Fulfilled Life

by Diane Tavenner

It was a huge win that David learned his feelings about coding after six weeks of exploration in high school, rather than midway through an expensive education where he majored in it. Still, many would view this internship as a bust. David didn’t figure out what he wanted to major in or the career he wanted to pursue.

That gives me confidence in a world that is rapidly changing and where the careers of today will supposedly be gone tomorrow. Because Rett knows what he is looking for in the form of “ings” and is building valuable habits and skills, I’m sure there is a match for him, even if it hasn’t been invented yet.

Simply put, when we enable kids to follow their curiosities and interests, they learn much more. As they learn much more, they get better at learning. It becomes a virtuous cycle.

Recognizing the evolution and opportunity of technology, the American Academy of Pediatrics revised their recommendations for screen time in 2016, but this change is not well known. They no longer recommend specific limits to the amount of screen time kids six and older should have each day. Rather, they recommend each family create a media-use plan that designates media-free times (such as dinner) and locations (such as bedrooms), as well as defining reasonable limits to use so sleep, exercise, and social activity aren’t replaced by screen time.5 Parents can also play a huge role in modeling what it means to be curious, explore, and learn online.

Even if your child’s school does not teach a self-directed cycle, there’s no reason you can’t teach it and support it at home: They can set a goal, make a plan, carry out the plan, show what they know, and reflect.