Lerner S. - Kids who think outside the box (2005)(en)

x	CONTENTS
RACHAEL SCDORIS Iditarod Sled Dog Musher..........................		130
Ignore What Others Say, Do What You Love
TORI MURDEN McCLURE Rower, Skier, Mountain Climber .....		134
Patience, Endurance, Resourcefulness
FRED ZIMNY U.S. National and Olympic Luge Team Manager ......		140
Unconditional Support
Part Three
THE SOURCE BOOK: Exceptional Programs,
Adventures, and Voyages for Your Child:
Ages Youth to College.....................................................................		145
PROGRAMS: BY SPHERE OF INTEREST
Altruist: Community Servant, Healer, Teacher ..................................		149
Artist: Musician, Performer ................................................................		159
Athlete: Competitor ..........................................................................		173
Designer: Architect ............................................................................		177
Entrepreneur: Financier, Economist .................................................		187
Historian.............................................................................................		189
Intellectual .........................................................................................		195
Inventor: Innovator, Computer Scientist/Technician.........................		205
Leader: Negotiator, Debater, Peacemaker ........................................		210
Naturalist: Outdoor Adventurer, Explorer .......................................		216
Observer: Writer ...............................................................................		227
Scientist ..............................................................................................		233
Other Significant Programs/Services..........................................		246
Index ....................................................................................................		251

FOREWORD

THE IMPORTANCE OF INDIVIDUALITY

AND THINKING DIFFERENTLY

WHETHER I WAS teaching preschool, kindergarten, first grade or graduate school, almost every year, for more than 20 years, there would be one student who moved to his or her own beat. Whereas most students followed the crowd and succumbed to peer pressure, these few individuals were content, or perhaps determined, to do their own thing. They thought individually, uniquely, and what could be considered outside the box.

That thing that they were determined to do—whether it was Drew’s interest and knowledge of trains, Paige’s interest in tennis, Carolyn’s interest in math and numbers, Jeremy’s interest and knowledge of animals, or Nathaniel’s fascination with dinosaurs—was to follow a passion. It was a focus that guided them throughout their school year. This focus did not make these students aloof and unpopular with their peers; in fact, their peers often looked up to them as experts in their “fields”—even in preschool and kindergarten. Their interests were occasionally passing fancies that lasted all or part of

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one school year, but sometimes these interests became selfmotivated, lifelong studies.

Over the years I have come to realize that the major characteristic these individuals shared was not related to IQ, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, or personality type, but to parental and teacher encouragement. When a parent, or teacher, acknowledges and encourages a child’s interest, it fosters feelings of self-esteem and self-worth. It reinforces that significant adults respect and value their interests, which serves as the foundation for furthering the student’s desire to learn, discover, and explore. Such encouragement provides the unique and individual child with the confidence to go forth and be the person that he or she is with fortitude and self-assurance.

The importance of parental support as the crucial underpinning of a child’s eventual success is demonstrated by the many stories contributed by eminent achievers to this book. Neil deGrasse Tyson, head of the Hayden Planetarium in New York City and one of these eminent achievers, followed his pursuit of astronomy and the stars with the support of his parents. Spike Lee recognizes his mother’s expectations and standards as a significant element in his success. Many other notable participants refer to beneficial parental support in their narratives, which leaves the reader with the feeling that positive parental support played a vital role in who they’ve become and what they’ve accomplished.

It is indeed important to provide encouragement not only to the children who think outside the box, but also to the parents of these children. When your child pursues interests that differ from those of children in his or her age group, it can often be difficult to nurture the distinctive qualities. This book provides such parents and other motivated readers with different scenarios of children who thought differently while

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growing up, the obstacles they encountered, and how they got through it all to become the accomplished adults they are today. These personal narratives, authored by notable individuals who have changed or added to our world in some way, are inspirational, aiming to encourage and provide parents with the feeling of certainty and confidence regarding their child who thinks differently.

Through my work and my teaching, I have also seen that it is often the intrinsic, unique characteristics and passions that outside-the-box children possess that fuel their future success. I have become an advocate for such children, especially at the preschool level. I have learned that if a topic is interesting, meaningful, and relevant to the child it has optimum potential for educating and entertaining. When a parent, caregiver, teacher, or a child finds that special topic, there is no limit to what that child may accomplish. If a child’s fascination is with dinosaurs, encourage that child to delve deeper into the world of dinosaurs. You may soon find that math, science, reading, art, writing, music, social skills, almost any discipline can be taught through a study of dinosaurs. By permitting young children to be themselves and follow their passions—be it dinosaurs or something else—parents and teachers are allowing their children to pursue their dreams, live up to their true potential, and become their best.

Part III, The Source Book: Exceptional Programs, Adventures, and Voyages for Your Child: Ages Youth to College, is a directory of programs divided by distinctive qualities and characteristics. These are often the very things that, with or without parental help, inspire a child to great accomplishments. This book provides the parent, caregiver, and teacher with helpful tools. There is a wealth of knowledge in these pages that allows you to unlock the unique qualities and characteristics in your child, helping each child realize his or her

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true potential. If your child is a strong debater or is fascinated by world politics, then the section entitled Leader: Negotiator, Debater, Peacemaker can provide you with some insight into the types of camps and programs that might work for your child. If your child is interested in humanity and helping the world, then the section entitled Altruist: Community Servant, Healer, Teacher might be of interest. Kids Who Think Outside the Box is a book that tells a parent that it is not only okay to have a kid who thinks differently, but that a child who is an individual thinker has many roads of possibility ahead of them.

My career goal, first as an educator in early childhood development and now as lead educational consultant for many highly successful properties of children’s programming, has always been consistent: to relay a message that without fail includes the importance of encouraging the individual self within a child. When producing quality entertainment that is developmentally appropriate for the intended audience, I place this message first and foremost. The message of encouraging the individual self within a child is what Kids Who Think Outside the Box is all about. Through the poignant writings of thirty contributors, who themselves were kids who thought outside the box, you get a front row view of the importance of embracing your child’s individual self.

Most importantly, I believe that this book will encourage you to look anew at your own “outside of the box” kid. With that second look, you will find what you always knew in your heart was there: your child is unique, distinctive, different, and certainly something special.

This is a must-read book for all parents and teachers. It is a book that will allow you to see how truly wonderful and unique your child or student is. Open these pages and discover the encouragement and strength you need to allow

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your child to realize their maximum potential. This book is your guide to fostering your child’s individual self and helping your child achieve amazing accomplishments.

Mary Ann Dudko, Ph.D.

Dr. Dudko earned her doctorate in early childhood education and child development and has taught preschool, kindergarten, elementary school, and graduate level courses during the past 30 years. She is the Vice President of Content Development for

Barney & Friends®, Bob the Builder®, Thomas & Friends®, Angelina Ballerina®, and all other properties produced by HIT Entertainment. She has also authored or coauthored more than 30 books for Barney Publishing.

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PREFACE

KIDS WHO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX is a point of reference for parents, teachers, and all who are fortunate enough to have or know a child who is unique in thought, spirit, and personality. The book motivates and inspires through the personal accounts of “living legends”—notably accomplished individuals who have contributed their stories to this book— who share with us the sources of motivation used to reach their personal pinnacle.

The book is comprised of three distinct parts. In the first section, we look at “who is the kid that thinks outside the box”; offer strategies for parents, teachers, and guidance counselors; and discuss the importance of embracing a child’s differences. We then lay the essential groundwork for bringing out the most in a child who, one day, may be an eminent achiever.

The second part of the book consists of personally written contributions from world-renowned individuals describing what inspired them to reach their personal highpoint and present level of accomplishment. The insights and perspectives

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of these distinctive innovators and pioneers illustrate the limitless opportunities and possibilities that life has to offer.

The third part of the book is an information bank—a reference for identifying and locating unique programs for the exceptional child who has no interest in the cookie-cutter programs that appeal to the average child. I say it’s a point of reference because it combines the characteristics of a typical reference book with insights essential to identifying the special programs that will contribute to your child’s growth and enhance his or her potential.

Last, Kids Who Think Outside the Box is for my twelve- year-old son Morgen, the astronomer, rocket designer, and builder, who has taken our family to planets and destinations we never would have visited. He is one interesting kid, who “thinks outside the box.”

Stephanie Lerner

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

AS IT’S THE PEOPLE with you along the way who make the journey fulfilling, exciting, and worthwhile; I’d like to acknowledge my entire family. My mother always showed unconditional support and my father always told me to go for it; thank you. Harold and Paula Freund have been married for half of a century, and as parents they taught me that each day is important, each day is special, and each day should be valued. I have learned from them and the way they lived their lives.

I’d like to acknowledge and remember my grandmother, Matilda Levinsky, who was a female role model before it was fashionable. Her no-nonsense strength and loyalty to “her own,” along with her indelible spirit showed me the way. My grandfather, Julius Levinsky, was our family’s link to who we are. I live by the example they both set. It is through the lives of my grandparents that I find strength, wisdom, and insight.

Much gratitude goes to the people who have embraced this project from the beginning. To Lyudmila Bloch, a woman who makes her own accomplishments look seamless, thanks for the encouragement, optimism, and assistance. To every

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