Instinctual Intelligence.

[Randell Waddell]

Stimulus:

It has been suggested that up to 1/3 of the general population utilizes this particular learning style, yet our pedagogical practice is not up to speed to cope with these learners.

We are bombing the sh***er out of many of our kids' brains with Ritalin and the like, to supposedly help them to fit in and focus on our classroom presentation formats.

See http://www.keirsey.com/addhoax.html for some highlight of concerns.

Perhaps we should be considering alternatives.

One such thrust is:
www.instinctualintelligence.com

I hope to get access to some of their brainspace and teaching approaches in the next few weeks.

Cheers
Randell :D

PS: Perhaps you were one on those kids who didn't quite fit the school mould - can I suggest we consider how to support those who are looking at supporting these kids.

PSS: A general search of "Instinctual Intelligence" will turn up a lot of nutters who would attempt to take this topic up some weird routes.

PSSS: Hopefully this thread is not too far out there for this "tribe". Hopefully, there are those out there who might resonate with this and as the "we are all alone in this - together" type approach, we can encourage support for those who don't fit the mould and who have unusual learning styles.

Cheers
Randell :D

[rbibbs]

Fascinating and provocative subject Randell. In a culture that's already fairly entrenched as adults into conformity (doing whatever government/television tells us to), the implications of pharmacologically-enhanced conformity gives me chills, even if there weren't chemical side effects.

My worst nightmare would be having to 'explain' to my child that the educational establishment is marginally functional but that s/he has to conform to it anyway. I'm spared that (and the resulting violent confrontation with school administration) by being childless.

Those among us with children had better be informed and prepared to deal with this issue, firmly representing our offspring against efforts to "package them uniformly for administrative convenience".

To add a training dimension to this thread, let's also consider the shortcomings of school PE, which just like the classroom conformity issue, brands some as "not athletic". Everybody is good at something. School should be about discovering what the 'something' is, rather than chiseling away unique attributes until we all fit in the same hole. Letting schools haphazardly sling labels like "learning-challenged" or "not athletic" at children is tantamount to abandoning their potential.

[JasonE]

Interesting that you bring up the PE issue, as that was one of my problems when I was the fat kid growing up. I developed an aversion to some sports that persists today.

On another note, federal money is being handed out for some program that puts all kinds of fitness equipment into schools. I've been to a school in a low-income neighborhood that suddenly had their largest classroom filled with all kinds of treadmills, airbikes, elliptical trainers, and numerous nautilus-type machines. There's also a bunch of steps scattered about for aerobics, and two extremely sophisticated machines that can accurately calculate your weight, bodyfat %, and BMI, regardless of what you are wearing.

Not a single, simple pull-up bar in sight.

All the machines are marked with directions telling the user which muscles they will be "isolating"... and some basic directions. It's very sophisticated, high-quality stuff. Unfortunately, it's also sized for adults, and this is a middle school. Some of the machines, like the leg curl, simply can't be safely used by 90% of the kids without serious risk to their knees.

In one corner of the room is a small desk with a new computer and some training materials, including interactive coaching on how to design programs for the kiddies. I haven't had a chance to meet the person who's overseeing all this, but I'll bet a lot that they don't have a lot of experience with any of this, let alone certified as a fitness trainer.

*sigh*... Some of my tax money went to this...

It's good to see the feds taking some initiative to fight obesity in our kids, but I wish they weren't taking such a traditional health-club approach to it.

[Cam]

I apologize if I further stray from the initial post, but Jason brings up a topic to which I have recently given much thought.

What can we, as individuals and as a tribe, do to promote the growth of genuine physical culture within America's schools (and America in general)?

We can certainly raise our own children to appreciate the benefits of physical culture, but this does little to impact our country's systemic confusion about exercise and fitness.

I feel a burden on my heart to "preach the truth" about genuine physical. The tide seems to be turning in many ways. Nevertheless, there is still a long, long way to to go. At this point in time, are local grassroots efforts the only way to promote change? Perhaps I am too impatient--What about in 5, 10, 20 years?

So, what is an impatiently socially-conscious Knuckledragger to do?

[Scott Sonnon]

At this point in time, are local grassroots efforts the only way to promote change? Co-operative Gyms (garages, parks, lunch break pavilions, after school parent-teacher free/sponsored meets.) If you can impact just a few, you're doing more than most... and you cannot begin to imagine the impact it reverberates.

What about in 5, 10, 20 years? See above. Focus, simplicity, dedication, persistence, and stamina. Just help a few consistently.

So, what is an impatiently socially-conscious Knuckledragger to do? Lead from in front by training until you're not impatient. Impatience never has stamina and only leads to 'binge and purge' efforts. And as we know in training, only the slow and steady path endures. Keep doing the great work you're doing. And never believe that you're "small scale." If you're helping one person (including yourself), it IS large scale!

[Cam]

Thanks for your reply, Coach. Your words are indeed encouraging.

There has always existed a dedicated, truth-seeking core of physical culturists. However, these warriors rarely reach out beyond their backyards, garages, and basements. From a macro perspective, what will it take to bring the truth to the public and solidify its place within our culture for the long-term?

Television, magazines, etc. perpetuate the public's bodybuilding-driven, skin deep image of "fitness." Fortunately, some current trends (e.g. popularity of yoga & Pilates) indicate some movement toward a truer vision of health. What areas of need should be addressed to nurture continued growth?

[Scott Sonnon]

Cam,

Look around you. Where are you posting? I think that the thousand plus members, including you and I, are quite an extraordinary "tribe." We are all alone in this... together - a community of like minded individuals spread across the planet congregating to share stories, insights and discoveries on this strange and beautiful thing called the "internet."

Keep fighting the good fight. And remember that it's no coincidence that you are so passionate about this. You'll help people just by being true to yourself, achieving your goals and pursuing your dreams.

[Cam]

Coach,
I appreciate your words of encouragement. Thanks for creating a vehicle through which we can share a common vision.
-CD

[JasonE]

What can we, as individuals and as a tribe, do to promote the growth of genuine physical culture within America's schools (and America in general)?


I say we take a lesson from the tobacco industry and get'em hooked while they're young. It works for lots of sports already, but you don't see the fitness industry looking to start peewee strength and conditioning training on a large scale. The only ones moving in that direction are some schools, and some government programs. :?

When the kids get hooked, they can influence their parents to change family buying patterns... no secret to that!

There will always be the monstrously fat 8-year-olds that get their own medium pizzas to eat when the family goes to Pizza Hut, because some parents get the weird idea that a bloated child is a happy child. But like Coach Sonnon said, it's the small actions that create ripples that eventually become waves.

Jogging started small, and years later it's huge... most people jog now just because they know it can help, not because they really know how or why. It just is.

People joke about the guy credited with starting the jogging craze... he died of a heart attack. Maybe he had a heart attack because he suddenly realized how his little runs had turned into a world-wide phenomena and had permanently altered worldwide perceptions of how to get fit. :lol:

[Cam]

Is anyone involved in or aware of any programs/organizations addressing children's fitness?

Also, is this is the best our federal government can do?
http://fitness.gov/index.html