No Surprises Here!
Schools often rely on routine for a few solid reasons: it simplifies standardization, makes life easier for teachers and administrators, and provides kids with a comforting sense of stability. While these reasons are valid, the issue is that we might be taking it too far.
Picture our brains as a seesaw balancing between surprise and routine. Too much surprise can trigger anxiety, while too little can lead to boredom, which raises cortisol levels and hinders learning, focus, and memory. To keep kids engaged, we need to find that sweet spot in the middle. We’ve mastered the routine side, but now it’s time to give surprises the attention they deserve.
Studies indicate that surprise plays a crucial role in learning. Unexpected information and events grab our attention, heighten our emotions by about 400 percent, broaden our understanding, and encourage conversations about what we’ve learned. Even infants are natural explorers when faced with surprises, as they absorb as much information as they can to understand the unexpected. Surprise not only enhances learning but also boosts creativity by forming new neural connections in our brains.
So, how can we sprinkle a little surprise into classrooms or at home? Here are some fun ideas:
- Pose Wonder-Sparking Questions: “Why do you think flamingos are pink? What was your favorite thing about childhood?”
- Add a Twist to Mundane Assignments: “Imagine if a famous chef and a superhero had a cook-off. What ingredients would they use, and why?”
- Create Mystery and Suspense: “Today, we’re doing something new, but I’m keeping it under wraps for now!”
- Gamify Concepts: Use a game of telephone to illustrate communication pathways in the brain.
- Engage with the Real World: Write letters, meet interesting people, or take spontaneous trips—remember how awesome field trips were? You can have those anytime!
The key is to disrupt patterns. If our brains get too good at anticipating what comes next, they won’t stay alert.
No Room for Ambiguity
Another area where schools fall short is in nurturing a tolerance for ambiguity. We excel at teaching kids facts, but we struggle to teach them how to embrace uncertainty and wonder. This is why, during my college teaching days, I constantly found seniors fretting over their future, nails bitten down to the quick. They were paralyzed by the pressure of needing to have everything figured out.
In contrast, certain Hawaiian teaching methods encourage students to sit with their questions for a day without seeking answers immediately. This fosters a sense of comfort with uncertainty and invites exploration.
Want to promote tolerance for ambiguity at home? Here are some simple ideas:
- Encourage Daydreaming: Yes, it’s a brain booster! Swap out a naptime for some family daydreaming.
- Ask Open-Ended Questions: “What do you think is the secret to happiness?”
- Respond with Questions: When kids inquire, reflect back, “What’s your take on that?”
- Invite Friends from Different Cultures: Share experiences and perspectives.
- Create Art Freely: Ditch the templates and let creativity flow without restrictions.
I’m not suggesting we throw all routines out the window (unless you’re in the mood for some dramatic flair), but I firmly believe that school should be as captivating as a thrilling book or an engaging video game. The reason page-turners and video games keep us hooked is their clever use of surprise. We know there’s a beginning, middle, and end, along with obstacles to overcome, but we’re also tantalized by the unpredictability ahead.
School should evoke the same sense of adventure. Instead of feeling like a prison, it should spark joy and exploration.
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Summary
Schools may be suppressing children’s creativity by over-relying on routines while neglecting the importance of surprise and ambiguity. To foster creativity and engagement, parents and educators can introduce wonder-sparking questions, gamify learning, and embrace uncertainty through open dialogue. Remember, a little surprise can go a long way in making education an adventure rather than a chore.