Flashcards, Face Paint, and a Lesson for Leaders
No clowning around here! This is what taking learning seriously looked like last week.
Our granddaughter, Skylar, is a super sharp 10-year-old who likes math. But since she and her family have been living with us, we discovered that she doesn’t yet have her addition/subtraction or multiplication/division tables down. So Grandpa Jim and Grandma Née (me) conspired to do something about this.
In the spirit of Halloween, I devised a game. Grandpa played too – though I’m sparing him the public humiliation of sharing his photo!
The game goes like this:
Sit in a circle.
Answer 5 flashcards correctly.
Use makeup to decorate the next person’s face with one new “feature”.
Continue taking turns around the circle.
Laugh and learn your math tables.
Results:
✔ Silly faces painted
✔ Math learned
✔ Memories made
Grandma Née (me) and Skylar who clearly won this game!
Living with a 5-, a 10-, and a 16-year-old and their two busy parents, we’re experiencing (and truly appreciating) the incredible benefit of the community of caring adults it takes to raise kids.
Whether that means family or chosen family, neighbors, or a network of resources, children and their parents need support. I say this as someone who raised four kids on my own for many years, sometimes with support and sometimes feeling the gaps. I’ve often wondered how anyone does it alone.
It’s easier than ever to be insular and withdraw from one another. But that’s a recipe for needs to go unmet, especially for single parents and for those working hard just to make ends meet. Reaching out or inviting in can be the first steps to weaving social fabric and offering support to those who are struggling.
Collective care makes a real difference.
We've discovered that problem-solving is richer with multiple generations and perspectives, different talents and experiences. What happens is almost always better together than anyone can create alone.
This, of course, is true at work too.
Collective efforts.
Valuing differences.
Safety to try new things.
Noticing and offering support.
And yes…fun.
Yes, these aren’t just nice to have; they are how we thrive and succeed.
What about you?
Who’s in your village?
Who sees you when you need support…and shows up?
How do you make that true for others?
And what might be possible if more of that spirit showed up in your workplace?
If this sparks curiosity or a spark of possibility, share this with someone you’d like in your village.
Or schedule a conversation with me about building a more human workplace where everyone grows – flash cards included, face paint optional!
