Lifelong Kindergarten

Cultivating Creativity Through Projects, Passion, Peers, and Play

By: Mitchel Resnick

Narrated by: Charles Constant

Length: 4 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

In kindergartens these days, children spend more time with math worksheets and phonics flashcards than building blocks and finger paint. Kindergarten is becoming more like the rest of school. In Lifelong Kindergarten, learning expert Mitchel Resnick argues for exactly the opposite: the rest of school (even the rest of life) should be more like kindergarten. To thrive in today's fast-changing world, people of all ages must learn to think and act creatively - and the best way to do that is by focusing more on imagining, creating, playing, sharing, and reflecting, just as children do in traditional kindergartens.

Drawing on experiences from more than 30 years at MIT's Media Lab, Resnick discusses new technologies and strategies for engaging young people in creative learning experiences. He tells stories of how children are programming their own games, stories, and inventions (for example, a diary security system, created by a 12-year-old girl), and collaborating through remixing, crowdsourcing, and large-scale group projects. By providing young people with opportunities to work on projects, based on their passions, in collaboration with peers, in a playful spirit, we can help them prepare for a world where creative thinking is more important than ever before.

©2017 Michael Resnick (P)2019 Tantor

Very narrow point of view

Unfortunately, this book does exactly what it argues against. The book poses a problem: the lack of creativity, play and problem solving in traditional education. Then poses a single solution, coding. 70% of the book discusses a single coding site “scratch”. The author is a creator and proponent of the site. If you are looking to inspire your child through coding, this is a great book. If you’re looking for creative ideas to enhance the “unschooling” or open ending learning process, this isn’t it. It’s a shame, because the author is very talented. It is disappointing that he didn’t expand his research.

great insights on creative learning

Filled with real world examples, this book gives a great view into how kids learn to be creative problem solvers

Great resource for all teachers

This book is very helpful for teachers who would like to step away from the traditional teaching strategy and move on a more flexible, creative and fun way of learning (for both teachers and students). Most specifically, this book talks about the use of the programming language Scratch developed by the MIT Media Lab and how to use it to boost creativity amongst youngsters, and honestly adults as well. We've implemented some of the ideas in our coding lessons with great results. The goal of the author is to make a transition from what he called the industrial society to the creative society following what he calls the four "P's" Projects, Passion, Peers, and Play. Totally recommended.

Interesting infomercial

Filled with great information about Scratch. Basically a book to promote the Scratch products. Shouldn’t have to pay to her their advertisement