Previously, we explored enriching your ed-biz or homeschool with Community Learning for younger learners. Today, an innovative look at integrating Community Learning into life…for teenagers and adults!
Just as you’ve stretched the boundaries of the classroom as edupreneurs/eduparents, students can propel themselves past the confines of their inner orbits, using Community Learning as a launchpad.
Community Learning serves as a crucible for life. High school students’ growing maturity levels, blossoming interests (and driving abilities!) blast their horizon doors wide open!
Encourage your learners to seek out wide-ranging extracurricular pursuits. Internships, tutoring, leadership organizations, debate or speech clubs, volunteering and hobbies…all present outstanding opportunities for community engagement. It’s okay – and even desirable – for teens to periodically mix and shake up these activities.
“That sounds good…but what might that actually look like for my teen learners?”
Mind-Broadening Community Learning Options
What dormant dreams might you want to chase?
As you support older students’ Community Learning enterprises, consider these basic guidelines.
Community Learning doesn’t have to be complicated or grandiose. If learners seem reluctant, brainstorm simple activities with small time commitments.
With older students, parental/teacher modeling and experience-sharing is key. Even though high school students may possess the independent skills and means to access and do activities without supervision doesn’t mean that you can’t come alongside them at the start.
Buoy learners’ confidence levels by demonstrating faith in their abilities to do hard things. The high school years are all about coaching, in every aspect of life. Encourage, but don’t cajole or force.
Expect and encourage teens to try out many different endeavors. If needed, chat about striking a balance between flightiness and rigid commitment. Somewhere in the middle is a good sweet spot.
Poised on the threshold of adulthood, many high school learners hold both the competencies and means to independently seek out a host of Community Learning ventures. Because they are still learning and may be self-conscious in new situations, a majority of students will benefit from your past experience, non-nagging nudging and heartfelt cheerleading.
That’s why it’s called “growing up.” It’s an ongoing process, not an end state.
Chart Your Course to Education Autonomy
Whether you’re an aspiring education entrepreneur, holistic homeschooler, or passionate parent looking to create personalized learning spaces, edTonomy gives you the wings to soar beyond traditional classroom settings. We're the silent partner to your loud dreams, the rhythm to your edu-melody, providing the tools, software, and community to build businesses that resonate with the heartbeat of your passion.
Member discussion