183. Stealth Learning – Cadence Company Camp
The ‘work’ of Talking Hands Talking Feet is about encouraging creative education pathways. It’s about the moments when the spark of learning happens! One of our moms calls it ‘stealth learning’. We love that. One of our teacher collaborators describes it as – ‘back door learning’.
It’s true. Learning happens through the ‘back door’, or the subconscious mind, when you are fully captivated in something intensely creative, challenging, relevant and new. It happens when you’re ‘green’, ‘in the green’, as a first timer, a beginner. The challenge is – can we be first time, keen green beginners every time?
Here’s another quote which helps to paint a picture: “It’s easier to act your way into a new way of thinking than it is to think your way into a new way of acting.” (Millard Fuller)
It’s not ‘work’ at all. It’s more like, well…play!
Learning happens when we play, when we experiment! It happens when we activate our senses and systems, our imaginations and love of discovery. So many of the greatest discoveries happened by accident, from DNA to penicillin to the Big Bang. The minute we assume we ‘know’ something, or ‘we’ve got it’, we unintentionally close the door to actual new learning.
It’s about understanding how our amazing human faculties work, and then to work with them in partnership.
True learning is a thrill, an adventure. It’s all encompassing. And…it’s fun. You know it’s happening when you are completely absorbed, fascinated, and even lost in something you love. Everything else disappears.
Cadence Company Camp 2021
Being able to host a summer camp for teens this last June was a little bit of a miracle. We didn’t know if it could happen, if it would be safe health-wise, if we’d have participants, if we’d be able to do the whole thing outside… But it came together beautifully, and as with so many things the past 18 months, we count our blessings.
It was the same for the participants and their families. It felt like a space was cleared for something a little bit miraculous to happen.
Here is a montage video of this summer’s Cadence Co. which captures the spirit of it beautifully. We hope you enjoy it.
~paz