Educating Children for the 21st Century May Benefit From a Look Into the 15th Century

The needs of the work force in the future change as fast as technology allows. We know how fast that has been; and it only advances faster with time. Unless any of you can look into the future and provide more than a predication, we will need to prepare our children to be creative and brave to evolve with the work force of the 21st century. ------------------------- People of the Renaissance (13 to 16th century) may just be the ones to emulate. Their way of thinking became more open to innovative ideas, reinventing methods in all areas of life, particularly arts and sciences..the most creative of all disciplines. ------------------------- To question common practice, search beyond the known, or look for answers not provided by the Church, government, and traditions of the day was as risky then as it is now. Consider Leonardo Da Vinci, a man who did not distinguish between art and science, math and philosophy. He explored them as he saw them: woven together, not separately. He created in all realms. ------------------------- Compartmental thinking and teaching each subject independent of other subjects was never as useful as society thought is would be. It needs to give way to whole education where students can realize the interconnectedness of the world. In this way, a student who might have felt inept in one subject will gain confidence approaching a difficult concept with supporting topics and concepts. ------------------------- Studying dance teaches 21st century students to pull it all together in their efforts to master their mind, body and spirit. As their body grows, they adjust to the longer limbs, stronger girth and mental capacity. As their experiences broaden, they incorporate more elaborate skills, coordinate more complicated intangible concepts, and strive for the refinement of details. They become willing to explore, experiment and persevere until the desired results are present. ------------------------- Many a past student has contacted me well into their adulthood thanking me for the dance education they received, reporting that they happily survived career changes more easily than their peers who complained that expectations were too high, hours too long, superiors too demanding, etc. They claim that their dance training gave them the work ethic to be unruffled by the demands of the 21st century work force. ------------------------- Dancers speak a universal language that will stand the test of time, as well as possess the creativity, discipline, and ability to evolve to every changing circumstance to excel. Students, study dance not necessarily to become a dancer, but to become a master of thyself and thus any task at hand. Employers, hire a dancer. Their nature is to actively re-tool and be ready for the increasing demands of any job. ------------------------- Be like a Renaissance person who strives for critical thinking, questioning, problem solving, assessing, analyzing, synthesizing and communicating information for the world at large. Avoid provincial thinking: 'If it was good for me, then it is good for my child.' Run from narrow thinking and the small focus of people who agree with you. Search out the challenges for yourself and in your children's education. Choose the Dancing Arts Academy where the study of arts and academics coincide deeply!