Six-year-old kristopher was on his bed upside down, holding a head stand. His extra long blond hair was dangling and reaching out in a variety of
directions. He was so much himself, flexible, pliable, completely in his
body, and unaffected by events around him. He just was. The word
"free" probably describes what I was seeing....and feeling.
In the next room, his parents and five other adults were engaged in a planning meeting related to starting a non-profit school for democratic education; a school where young people from age six to eighteen would all be together and in charge of their own educational process.
I first met Kris, in a vertical position, as he ran into the room where the more serious adults sat on the floor in a circle, talking business and planning stuff. Kris, now head up, with feet on the ground, nimbly ran through the center of the serious adult circle. No one seemed disturbed by his actions or presence, in what could be perceived as "interrupting the adults."
He was free to be himself, and mingle with the adults, allowing space and attitude for Kris to be Kris. I was so impressed with the way seven-year-old Kris was welcomed, respected and seen as an integral part of the group, that even though the school had yet to be complete on paper, or have a physical site, we signed up our eleven-year-old son....... only after asking for his opinion.
In the next room, his parents and five other adults were engaged in a planning meeting related to starting a non-profit school for democratic education; a school where young people from age six to eighteen would all be together and in charge of their own educational process.
I first met Kris, in a vertical position, as he ran into the room where the more serious adults sat on the floor in a circle, talking business and planning stuff. Kris, now head up, with feet on the ground, nimbly ran through the center of the serious adult circle. No one seemed disturbed by his actions or presence, in what could be perceived as "interrupting the adults."
He was free to be himself, and mingle with the adults, allowing space and attitude for Kris to be Kris. I was so impressed with the way seven-year-old Kris was welcomed, respected and seen as an integral part of the group, that even though the school had yet to be complete on paper, or have a physical site, we signed up our eleven-year-old son....... only after asking for his opinion.
