Comments on: It’s tougher for kids to learn the hard stuff if they aren’t taught the soft stuff http://sea-fever.org/2008/02/16/its-tougher-for-kids-to-learn-the-hard-stuff-if-they-arent-taught-the-soft-stuff/ Exploring maritime culture, history and heritage Sat, 28 Jan 2012 07:10:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Peter A. Mello http://sea-fever.org/2008/02/16/its-tougher-for-kids-to-learn-the-hard-stuff-if-they-arent-taught-the-soft-stuff/#comment-9737 Sun, 17 Feb 2008 22:50:57 +0000 http://seafever.wordpress.com/2008/02/16/its-tougher-for-kids-to-learn-the-hard-stuff-if-they-arent-taught-the-soft-stuff/#comment-9737 The sink or swim metaphor is an interesting one because you can’t really learn to swim unless you overcome the fear and effectively manage the risks of sinking. Giving learners a safe and controlled environment that challenges but supports them can be extremely effective at teaching the subject matter and building self confidence in the process.

Since no single member of the crew can sail the ship alone, we also spend a lot of time and effort in establishing an appreciation for the value of teamwork. One for all and all for one.

]]> By: Steve Rosenbaum http://sea-fever.org/2008/02/16/its-tougher-for-kids-to-learn-the-hard-stuff-if-they-arent-taught-the-soft-stuff/#comment-9734 Sun, 17 Feb 2008 15:49:43 +0000 http://seafever.wordpress.com/2008/02/16/its-tougher-for-kids-to-learn-the-hard-stuff-if-they-arent-taught-the-soft-stuff/#comment-9734 I’ve noted over the years that when someone uses the sink or swim method of training that you get more sinkers than swimmers. You end up finding those who learn on their own and miss those who could get there with the right help.

]]> By: Peter A. Mello http://sea-fever.org/2008/02/16/its-tougher-for-kids-to-learn-the-hard-stuff-if-they-arent-taught-the-soft-stuff/#comment-9730 Sun, 17 Feb 2008 05:03:15 +0000 http://seafever.wordpress.com/2008/02/16/its-tougher-for-kids-to-learn-the-hard-stuff-if-they-arent-taught-the-soft-stuff/#comment-9730 Agreed but a calm sea does not produce a skilled sailor. Pushing kids out of the comfort zone (in a controlled and safe way) can often accelerate the learning of both hard and soft skills. That’s what the deep water sailing experience does for many young trainees.

]]> By: Steve Rosenbaum http://sea-fever.org/2008/02/16/its-tougher-for-kids-to-learn-the-hard-stuff-if-they-arent-taught-the-soft-stuff/#comment-9729 Sun, 17 Feb 2008 04:45:45 +0000 http://seafever.wordpress.com/2008/02/16/its-tougher-for-kids-to-learn-the-hard-stuff-if-they-arent-taught-the-soft-stuff/#comment-9729 My experience is that we traditionally separate the soft and hard stuff. Then we expect people to put them together. I think there is a lot to be gained from combining them from the start. You then teach from simple to complex, easy to hard. It’s more situational or task oriented. Let’s start by mastering fishing off the dock before dropping some into the perfect storm.

]]> By: OldSailor http://sea-fever.org/2008/02/16/its-tougher-for-kids-to-learn-the-hard-stuff-if-they-arent-taught-the-soft-stuff/#comment-9728 Sun, 17 Feb 2008 03:24:55 +0000 http://seafever.wordpress.com/2008/02/16/its-tougher-for-kids-to-learn-the-hard-stuff-if-they-arent-taught-the-soft-stuff/#comment-9728 In the global village,learning soft stuff along with hard stuff is necessary for all types of profession. Even terrorism can be minimized in the long run.

]]> By: Peter A. Mello http://sea-fever.org/2008/02/16/its-tougher-for-kids-to-learn-the-hard-stuff-if-they-arent-taught-the-soft-stuff/#comment-9726 Sat, 16 Feb 2008 21:09:06 +0000 http://seafever.wordpress.com/2008/02/16/its-tougher-for-kids-to-learn-the-hard-stuff-if-they-arent-taught-the-soft-stuff/#comment-9726 Steve,

Absolutely agree. We would never consider sending someone to sea without first making sure they know how to navigate (math) and sail (physics). But they also need to master themselves in the alien and at times challenging environment the sea presents(emotional intelligence)and to be part of a team living in confined quarters with their shipmates (social intelligence).

Learning the soft stuff without mastering the hard stuff might create a nice person but they will probably have trouble competing in this fast-paced, interconnected world. We are attempting to prepare kids with both sets of skills.

Your thoughts?

P.S. Just did a quick recon on your blog and look forward to going back and spending some time there. Lot’s of interesting stuff. Thanks for commenting here and pointing me there.

]]> By: Steve Rosenbaum http://sea-fever.org/2008/02/16/its-tougher-for-kids-to-learn-the-hard-stuff-if-they-arent-taught-the-soft-stuff/#comment-9725 Sat, 16 Feb 2008 20:30:29 +0000 http://seafever.wordpress.com/2008/02/16/its-tougher-for-kids-to-learn-the-hard-stuff-if-they-arent-taught-the-soft-stuff/#comment-9725 Here’s a question, can you learn the soft stuff witout learning the hard stuff. Don’t you become one sided if you teach emotional intelligences and you don’t teach math intelligence, spacial intelligence, verbal intelligence.

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