Raising Mavericks

Raising Mavericks

One of the best ways to prepare our kids for exponential change is to raise them to be independent thinkers.

Unfortunately, school conditions kids to follow instructions. Do as you are told. Don't ask too many questions. Be obedient.

The reality is life rewards imagination. Here are a few ways to get kids to think for themselves. I call it Raising Mavericks.

1. Big, Hairy Problems

Let kids know about the big, hairy problems humanity is facing.

Climate change. Racial inequality. Poverty.

Less time memorising the periodic table, more time discussing SDGs.

2. Learn Through Play

Unstructured play takes imagination.

Kids develop creativity and problem-solving skills by learning through play.

When Albert Einstein was five, he was stuck in bed with a childhood illness. His father handed him a magnetic pocket compass to play with. He spent hours twisting the compass, wondering how the needle always knew to point towards the north.

Playing with that compass inspired Einstein's love of science.

3. Encourage Risk Taking

Encourage kids to experiment. Can be as small as playing a new sport. Or starting a micro-business.

Many successful people took the path less traveled. They ignored the 'safe' options. Starts with being told as a child it's ok to fail.

4. Get Kids To Be Creators

This whole creator economy thing? Why not get kids to be creators?

Art, videos, zines, whatever.

The goal isn't to make a million bucks before they turn 10.

The goal is to get kids into the habit of building and creating, not just consuming.

5. Teach Kids How To Hustle

'Hustle' is a word that's used a lot in the startup world.

Not all founders who hustle will be successful, but founders who don't know how to hustle almost have no chance of becoming successful.

Hustle is both nature and nurture. Start them young.

6. Help Kids Learn To Be Resourceful

Some people call it street smarts.

Being resourceful is the ability to make things happen despite limited resources.

Brian Chesky selling Obama O’s cereal boxes to fund Airbnb is a great example.

Where To Start?

Explaining to your child the Russia-Ukraine war that is going on right now and the implications on other countries and the rest of the world is a good introduction to big, hairy, humanity-level problems. Possible discussion points

• Humanitarian crisis

• Sovereign nations

• Nuclear warfare

• Economic sanctions

On a lighter note, get your child to work for what they want. Manufacture hardship. If they want a new gaming console, ask them to research how the gaming industry works. Make them give a presentation at home. Ask them to pitch a console game idea.

Remember, it is precisely because school is about following rules that we as parents need to work extra hard to encourage our kids to become independent thinkers.

Doyobi’s facilitated online program helps your child:

• Experience guilt-free screen time that develops problem-solving & critical thinking skills

• Find their voice through discussions & challenges

• Learn to interact with peers and grow in confidence