Once people get to know me, they are often surprised to learn that I grew up on a farm. The thing is, for a farm boy, I am not handy. When my wife and I married, my father-in-law gifted a shiny new toolbox … to my wife, Jodie.
It's true: I avoid home repair whenever possible. By contrast, when I think of our Habits of Learning, I feel courageous, curious, and joy-filled. In other words, I’m inclined toward ideas and concepts rather than practical things. For someone who loves learning and encourages learning, I admittedly have my leanings.
As a parent, I have often worried that I haven’t taught enough practical life skills to my own children. So when I came across this video the other day, something resonated deeply—its headline gave me hope: 42 Things Everyone Should Learn How To Do.
I watched the whole 20 minutes, feeling relief in those things I could already do and hopeful about the items I could yet learn (In fact, I learned a couple of things simply by watching).
I am so excited for my two oldest to come home from university over the holidays as suddenly we have some practical learning to do. Their stockings will have a few more tools in them than they normally would (zero). I will probably spare them the graphic for the TfT Habits of Learning, but these habits will be front and center for me.
While the video is enjoyable and cheeky, you may simply prefer this list of the 42 skills highlighted. If anyone is inspired to grow in one of these areas, I would love to see a photo of you cultivating your skill! Feel free to share. As educators, it is good for us to practice the Habits of Learning we encourage in our students.
