Will Richardson

Speaker, consultant, writer, learner, parent

  • About
    • About Will
    • Contact Will
    • BIG Questions Institute
  • Blog
  • Speaking
  • Coaching
  • News
  • Books

“C” is for Coping

January 8, 2019 By Will Richardson Leave a Comment

Stat of the Day: 77% of 14 to 29 year olds said they or someone close to them had suffered from mental health issues.

77%.

And the #1 issue for that age group? School shootings.

I’m thinking of all the supposed “C” skills that we’re supposed to develop in our students, it’s arguable that “coping” may now be the most important. As much so as creativity, curiosity, collaboration, or any of the others. If are kids cannot cope with the realities of the day, none of those others will flourish.

It begs all sorts of questions for educators and schools.

How are we adding to their stress? What current practices might ease their burden? (Think ending early morning sleep deprivation, taking the “high stakes” off the test, or giving them more opportunities to move their bodies and quiet their minds.)

Are we explicit in teaching kids coping strategies? Do they learn them implicitly from the cultures that we create in our schools? Do the adults model them purposefully?

Are we building capacity in our communities to support and nurture and care for our kids? Are we honoring the fears of our children every day?

As with everything else in life, this is a choice. Right now, most schools choose rigor and competition and immobility.

We have healthier options.

Filed Under: On My Mind

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts

  • “Never”
  • My 2023 “Tech Cleanse” Has Begun
  • Five Themes for Educators in 2023
  • Schools in a Time of Chaos
  • Has This Crisis Really Changed Schools?

Search My Blog

Archived Posts

Copyright © 2023 Will Richardson · All Rights Reserved

Follow me on Twitter @willrich45