WHAT DO YOU WANT?
There is a much more important question: What do you want?
I often forget to consider the desire in their hearts. When I focus merely on the external
Socratic Method
HOW CAN A PARENT KEEP THE SPARK OF CURIOSITY ALIVE?
It’s taken me a long time, but I have finally, finally, learned that asking questions is far more powerful than delivering answers – not just in our learning studios at Acton Academy, but in my life at home.
YOU ARE A PARENT, NOT A SOCRATIC GUIDE
The journey of Acton Academy is for parents as much as children. We get to soak up powerful lessons of the Socratic Method and use them in transformative ways with our children.
HAVE YOU TRIED THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT AT HOME?
The value of our Socratic discussions is revered at Acton Academy. It is the reason we don’t allow late-comers to join in the conversation – a damaging interruption to the flow of listening and thinking.
DO YOU TRUST THE CHILDREN?
We trust they can make excellent decisions. We trust they have genius within. We trust in their desire to learn, work hard and achieve excellence.
DREAMING UP THE PERFECT SOCRATIC GUIDE
Can you hold a human up to such expectations? And this list doesn’t even include the essential skills and knowledge required to write and deliver world-class curriculum, guide discussions, manage technology, communicate effectively and organize and analyze data.
BREWING UP A SOCRATIC SUMMER
The world is literally at our fingertips. It seems wasteful not to savor what is available when our schedule slows down and the days get longer. Some of our favorites are from The Great Courses. Right now we are enjoying the “Turning Points in History” series.
ASKING GREAT QUESTIONS YOUR CHILD WILL LOVE TO ANSWER
This is a time to use the Acton Academy strategy at home. Asking good questions is the basis of the Socratic Method. It works for parents, too.
CONSCIOUS LISTENING
I believe this may be the most transformative skill we can practice as a parent: consciously and openly listening to our children. The following TED talk takes 7 minutes to watch. It is one of those that creeps into your thinking and just might change your world:
