Fiercely Independent Learners

| THE MISLABELED CHILD | Brock Eide, M.D., M.A. | Fernette Eide, M.D. |

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Fiercely Independent Learners

Fiercely independent learners (FILs) are often intellectual dynamos. Their minds are active, intense, and they may be driven to their own topics of interest. FILs may clash with teachers or be offended by slow pace or subjects of learning in conventional school settings.

What Makes Fiercely Independent Learners Happy

Fiercely independent learners are happiest and in 'flow' when they're doing what they love. They have trouble interrupting what they're doing when their thoroughly engrossed, and may become depressed or oppositional if they feel school is just an unwanted intrusion. Explosive tantrums in otherwise sweet-natured children may be a clue that your FIL is at the end of his rope.

How to Educate FILs

FILs often need to follow their own course. This may be easier said than done, but there are generations of parents before us who had to grapple with the same dilemma.

Often a parent doesn't have to look back too far in his or her own history or family tree to find other restless and fiercely independent spirits.

FILs as children often grow up to be independent thinkers, innovators, and leaders. That doesn't mean they should always do as they want - in fact, parents should encourage social diplomacy, verbal persuasion, and personal sensitivity - as this may help expand their influence when they head out on their own. But they also need to be given opportunities and resources to really soar, and an opportunity to find mentors and teachers, and peers if possible, that really challenge their thinking and abilities.