"Never underestimate the vital importance of finding early in life the work that for you is play.
This turns possible underachievers into happy warriors."
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Sir Ken Robinson, The Element - How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything .
The underachiever's eyeopener grant |
Back to GRANTS
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We all used to know kids at school who were brilliant in some subjects and "fighting for survival" in others. And we remember peers with bright minds delivering dreadful results. Fact is: This has little to do with intelligence and a lot with intrinsic motivation. Which is why cramming is not the answer. These youngsters simply can't see why they should be interested.
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All too often a kid can't understand why it should bother. Adolescence has its moments, peer pressure can be nasty and frequently we find that the most creative minds in class have the hardest time to keep up with the rest: They are simply not made to function within our established systems. These kids need support to "switch on" in a way that works for them.
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"If only I had realized it back then, I would have ..." Some can make up for it later in life. Some can't.
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Every kid has superpowers. We discover them daily.
We use the community to establish partnerships that give a kid the opportunity to make that penny drop early enough in life (instead of years or even decades later)! The right partners - abroad or at home - offer new surroundings, new role models and new ways of seeing things to give a youngster the chance to open up and get ready for self-discovery. |
Grants for underachievers are life-changers. They start off with self-discovery and end up a revelation.
This program is based on Sir Ken Robsinson's thesis of finding your true element.
This program is based on Sir Ken Robsinson's thesis of finding your true element.
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How it works and how to participateThe Switch-on Grant helps parents who can "see it coming" that their child will confront them one day and ask "Why didn't you make me use the opportunities I had? Why didn't you make me learn?" It is made for parents who understand:
Their kid needs an eye-opener, not more pressure to perform! |
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The age group: |
Kids from 10 to 18 yrs. |
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Who can apply:
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Parents apply on behalf of a child who is at risk to join "the league of regretters"
in later life. There are no restrictions in regard to gender, nationality, creed and race. We cordially invite applications for handicapped kids. Applications can be filed anytime throughout the year. |
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Essential elements:
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A genuine commitment to cooperate across borders and generations.
An open minded approach to other lifestyles, languages and cultures. |
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The idea:
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A child's academic success can be supported in so many ways. Sympathetic parents and siblings are the best thing that can happen to a kid. A good school and great teachers are a tremendous help, role models can work wonders for guidance and motivation.
But some kids are, despite all of this (lack of it makes it worse, no doubt), still like a flower not able to flourish. Some need a different climate, others a different kind of soil. They may feel that there's something amiss but usually they can't put a name to it. Not yet. What's the worst thing to happen? That they're made to feel like a failure. Teachers and family members might call them lazy or even stupid, peer pressure may lead them to do silly things for social acceptance. All too often, they get into a downward spiral of compensating for lack of success by actions that make the situation even worse. Or they withdraw. Inner exile is a place with a questionable promise of peace. The Switch-on Grant creates the framework to make a new start. It is an invitation to leave the established tracks that haven't worked out and free the young mind, opening up new ways with new partners and new ideas. |
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What we have learned:
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Some kids simply need their personal epiphany.
The right kind of adrenaline, the excitement of seeing new options and of being told "We believe in your potential!" is the best remedy for the "underperformer's syndrome". |
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A closing wish
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A lot of what the underperformer's grant can do for kids can be done at anytime for any kid, not only those who are unhappy or out of balance. Always focus on the strengths and keep an open mind for things that can give power to the joy of learning and understanding!
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Please take the time to watch, these 19 minutes are worth it!
And if you are in a hurry, get started at 14.50 min and watch for three minutes. That's all it takes to understand the power of finding your element. |
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