Daydreaming, Boredom, and Creativity

We are now exactly half-way through our year at Construct Learning, and one thing I have noticed is that this time has been a curious blend of inactivity and activity. It would be very easy for a visitor to Construct Learning to assume that not much is going on.  One student will be lying on a beanbag with his computer.  Another will be chatting to a staff member about something in the news, and a third will be in the more sound-proof room opposite practicing guitar.  What are they “doing”?  Are they “achieving” anything?  Let’s take a look:   

Two of our students have taken their SSAT’s, an entrance exam required for private school admissions, and both got scores in the high 90’s.

One of our (8th grade) students took her SAT and got an 1850, and took an online, college-level biology course taught by Professor Eric Lander, of human genome project fame.

One of our students began learning guitar in early December.  Now, only two months later, she has a repertoire of 6 songs, and has started writing her own songs.

Another student worked solidly at private school applications for two weeks, producing thoughtful and insightful written self-portraits - and endured the tedious process of writing the applications by hand.

Which leads us to some of the primary principles of Construct Learning;

Traditional schools work on the premise that everyone should learn the same material, at the same pace, and that there is so much to learn that not a moment can be wasted.  

In self-directed learning situations, learners find a goal that they are personally motivated to achieve - and the result is work of a far higher level, and at a much quicker pace, than traditional education could ever achieve.

Often though, before identifying that goal, members will often appear to be “doing nothing” for a long time. But this time is also essential.  Members are discussing issues that are important to them, gathering information, trying something out that doesn’t work and sends them back to the drawing board, or simply daydreaming, letting ideas percolate while they stare out the window or surf the web.  This pattern of inactivity / reflection, followed by identification of a goal and frenzied activity is one well documented by those who study creativity.British psychoanalyst Adam Phillips, says:

“two crucial processes begin with boredom: curiosity and desire. When we are bored we begin to wonder about things. And curiosity is the starting point for growth, interest, and creativity. The same is true of desire. If we are given everything, we want nothing. And if we don't want anything, we will never be motivated to achieve or grow or create or even to love.”   
Psychology Today 12/1/2011

At Construct, we provide something that young people often don’t get the opportunity for - time to be alone, to be quiet, and to daydream.  The results show that it’s more than worth it