How To Raise Exceptional People
How To Raise Exceptional People
Inspired by Henrik Karlsson post on the childhoods of exceptional people.
Henrik Karlsson wrote substack post on the Childhoods of exceptional people that is itself exceptional and worth sharing:
Read the full article, but these were my notes:
How To Raise Exceptional People
Summary: Curate an exceptional milieu.
Homeschool or private school with a unique curriculum.
Treat children as intellectual peers.
Let them interact with exceptional adults.
Prioritize children’s education as much as any adult endeavor.
Let them read. (Corollary: If you can’t get in-person tutors, start with books.)
Allow self-directed free time.
Allow for boredom.
Allow for hyper-focus on special interests.
Provide 1-on-1 tutoring.
Include children in adult work.
As Karlsson summarizes:
Let me sum up what I’ve said so far. A lot of care went into curating the environment around the children—fascinating guests were invited, libraries were built, machines were brought home and disassembled—but the children were left with a lot of time to freely explore the interests that arose within these milieus.
I would add: this is possible for adults as well. All of the above habits are useful for adult growth. If you want a new skill, you can spend time around exceptional people, intensely study it, allow for boredom and free time, and hire a private coach.
My child is not yet at the age of education, but I plan to incorporate these ideas. When I look back at my own childhood, many of the parts that worked in my favor can be found in this list. My children will benefit from those parts that worked, plus the new things I have learned.
I would add, don't get them a cell phone or their own computer until they graduate from high school. Make them use the family computer in a main area of the house.
Whatever you can do to keep them from getting addicted to the damn screens and to keep them from going down the horrible dark rabbit trails that are out there online, waiting to ensnare those kids who are susceptible and might be struggling.
It's so hard to grow up these days. Especially for young guys, making that transition to become men. Our culture is tearing them up.
Get them outdoors often, and involved with as many other good, real people they can see and smell and hug as possible while they are young and keep doing it....
From a mom with too many regrets...