Discovering or rediscovering the 'element': in children & in ourselves...

Okay, here's the deal. I'm making a commitment here. I've just bought Sir Ken Robinson's book, The Element. It's about the  'driving force inside every human being that, once unleashed, can make any vision, any dream, a reality' (that's a reviewer's description of what Sir Ken calls the 'Element' in us).
And apparently, it isn't too late for even hard-boiled adults like me, with a few miles under their belts, to discover, or rediscover this magical place/space/state of mind.

So, I've set up this new forum and this particular discussion thread to share with you my thoughts and reflections about the book as I read it. Apart from being interested in how to rediscover my own 'element' (or discover it... it's never too late, is it?) I'm keen to glean any insights Ken Robinson has about how the 'element' gets lost as children grow up, in the first place - and from that, any insights or ideas that might flow about reigniting it, particularly in learning spaces outside the classroom and beyond the school day.

So... first quick thought (because I haven't read that much of the book yet) - and bear with me, because I shan't be holding back here if I disagree with or feel at odds with his ideas. Don't get me wrong: I am a huge fan of Sir Ken's. But something in me (the realist? the pragmatist? dear heavens... not the cynic!) did a double take when the book arrived and I unwrapped it. There, on the cover it says: 'Happiness really is within your grasp'.

Really... yes. Really. It says that.

And I immediately thought: Darn it, waste of money! This is just another of those wretched self-help books! But then I saw that the utterer of those words was someone at The Guardian. So... the latte-drinking, Guardian-reading side of me (it's only a little side of me), calmed down and thought: mmm... okay, I'll give it a go.

So... Ken believes that 'We need to evolve a new appreciation of the importance of nuturing human talent along with an understanding of how talent expresses itself differently in every individual. We need to create environments - in our schools, in our workplaces, and in our public offices - where every person is inspired to grow creatively. We need to make sure that all people have the chance to do what they should be doing, to discover the Element in themselves and in their own way.'

My hope is that, as people in schools or people running programmes for schools start using the Pupil Premium to address the needs of their disadvantaged pupils through extra-curricular learning activities, they'll watch closely for those different 'talents' in the children and young people they work with - however they manifest. And probably, the realm of extra-curricular learning is exactly where the sparks will be seen - so keep your eyes peeled.

I hope you'll find ways to nurture them, and fan the flames.

I blogged a while back about Gillian, who is one of the people Sir Ken spoke to for his book. If you missed it, here it is:

Gillian isn't sick: she's a dancer... 

and for now, that will have to do - until I have read more.

PS Matt Groening was a wayward child - and the story of how he invented the Simpsons is recounted in the book. More next time!

Hi Paddy, Apologies for only discovering this interesting post now! This is right up my street - though mine's an Americano :-) .

I imagine this can be well connected to the drive at the moment for greater Social and Emotional Learning in schools. This really fascinates me, especially having seen Professor Tanya Byron speak so convincingly on the topic of EQ at the last Canterbury Christ Church conference in London. So many of the children we work with in extended schools services have complex needs, so I'm motivated about researching the role that 'SEAL' is playing. Do you know of any good work that is already being done?

Did you finish the book?! :-) 

Many thanks Paddy,

Emily