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When I first began commuting to SCK by bicycle two years ago, I was conscious of the progression of my journey up First Avenue block by block throughout the 55 or total blocks I travelled. As my route became more familiar, I began mentally noting progress in groups of 5 and then 10 blocks in a “20 down, 35 more to go!” kind of way. Now, some mornings my ride doesn’t register with me in a destination-focused way until I am ten blocks in, or even 20 or more. Some days I compete with other bikers, or even the Select Bus I would be on had I not chosen to ride. Other days I compete with myself, marking my time in five- or ten-block increments. And then there are the days when I manage to slip between moments of time and ride with a clear and soaring mind, aware of the road beneath me, the air around me, the warmth of the sun overhead, my body and the inspirational bubble that surrounds me. I call this biking for the sake of biking.
And this makes me think about learning. About the different mindsets students adapt when they learn and the various types of motivation they tap into as they progress deeper into their journey.
At the start of your learner’s journey, each step may seem arduous until perseverance, familiarity, and mastery move them along to the next steps. Learning then often becomes exponential as single “blocks” of information or knowledge grow to encompass greater territory. Often students are motivated by healthy competition with their peers (and sometimes by a less healthy sense that they must measure up or surpass to “matter” – but that’s another blog). And at times students measure progress against their former performance as measured by tests and grades.
Whatever your learner’s style, it’s important that they are able to tap into the “learning for the sake of learning ~ biking for the sake of biking” experience. This is often easier said than done, especially in light of today’s demanding achievement culture – which is why it’s so important for you to help your child discover the joy of learning – of feeling the road beneath them, the air around them, and the warmth of the sun overhead. This is the space where great ideas, connection, and inspiration often occur. You can help by making sure your learner builds down-time into their schedule – and you can also model the importance of mindfulness in your daily family life by engaging in activities for the sheer joy of them.
The difference between me pushing it on my bike – racing to beat the light, competing with fellow riders or vehicles, sweating to beat my best time – and me slipping into the love of the ride is about ten minutes. Some mornings, I don’t have ten minutes to spare, and I have to remain focused on my destination. Other mornings, when I’ve managed my time well and can allow myself to meld with the process, I realize how much more pleasant my journey was. My guess is this holds true for most learners as well.
