Community Workshop #1 - Anxious Generation

We are thrilled to invite you to our first community workshop of the year, which will be held this Wednesday, October 16th at 9 am. (SIGN UP HERE).

Many of you have already finished this year’s summer reading, "The Anxious Generation" by Jonathan Haidt. 
As announced by myself and Paige Fischer this summer, our first Community Workshop will be dedicated to discussing this book and its relevance to raising healthy and resilient children in today's increasingly digital world.
We believe that as a community, we have the power to overcome the obstacles that our children may face, and we are looking forward to engaging in a lively and thought-provoking discussion with all of you.
If you haven't started reading the book yet, do not worry. Even understanding the topics covered will suffice.

Haidt's book The Anxious Generation is filled with relevant and timely data and anecdotes about the dangers and obstacles of access to current technology and social media. It also ensures that there are solutions to help children navigate the current influx of screen time.
One solution that Haidt eloquently emphasizes is the importance of allowing children to engage in open play. Open play refers to unstructured, child-directed play that allows children to freely explore their environment and engage in activities that interest them. Unlike organized activities or sports, open play gives children the opportunity to take charge of their own play experiences and develop important life skills in the process.
According to Haidt, open play can help children build resilience and develop problem-solving skills, as they navigate social situations and learn to negotiate with their peers. Additionally, open play encourages creativity and imagination, as children invent new games and scenarios to act out.
Open play can also help children develop physical skills such as coordination, balance, and motor skills, as they run, jump, climb, and engage in other physical activities. Thankfully Mead school regularly provides all of our students opportunities for open play! These quintessential Mead school experiences can help our students grow into confident, capable, and well-rounded individuals.
We would love to talk about this book with all of you. Please do not miss out on this opportunity. 
Looking forward to seeing you all on Wednesday! 

 

Best,

Nikki Breakell Miller

Director of Marketing, Communications, and Family Engagement