Spread your wings! That’s what Loudonville Elementary School teachers and staff are hoping a new initiative at the school will help their students do. “Loudonville Grows,” is an offshoot of “Let Grow,” a larger movement to inspire increased independence in children in the hopes that they grow into capable and confident adults.
Mrs. Sarah Boule says she has seen an increase in anxiety in young children over the past several years. The first grade teacher at Loudonville came across “Let Grow” as she was researching ways to help kids who are struggling. “For a variety of reasons, children today are spending less time engaging in unstructured, free play and less time discovering new things on their own, both of which are critical parts of childhood development. I was inspired by the Let Grow Experience because it unites schools, homes, and communities to promote childhood independence, giving kids the ability to make decisions, explore and learn from mistakes. Through discovering and experiencing on their own, children acquire skills like: resilience, perseverance, cognitive flexibility, problem solving, self control and more. They learn to trust themselves and what they are capable of. Trust and confidence are anxiety’s neutralizers,” Boule said.
With the support of administration and the help of the building culture team, “Loudonville Grows” sprouted to life this school year. Each month, students have the opportunity to complete a project to help them learn independence. This is simply a homework assignment to go home and do something new, on their own. Parents have been asked to discuss projects with their child(ren), but to avoid involving themselves in the project whenever possible. Students have done everything from baking banana bread, to folding laundry, and even packing their own lunch! Afterward, students reflect on their experience and write or draw about their projects to display in the school. 130 students participated in the first project in September. The projects culminate in a school-wide assembly at the end of each month to celebrate student growth and kick off the next month’s project cycle.
The initiative has grown on at least one Loudonville parent. “At first I thought, just another thing to remember! However, it’s actually been really nice to think of something simple, but nice to do at home that shows independence and joy! Both children have made letters for family and accomplished tasks they wouldn’t normally do!”
As the principal at Loudonville, Mr. Scott Thompson has seen the impact “Loudonville Grows” has had on his students. “Our intention is to give students opportunities to be independent, build self-confidence, and pride while also helping to reduce anxieties. Giving students chances to succeed and fail a bit. As we all learn more from our failures than our successes.”
