A speaker named Lee Jenkins once compared children’s learning potential to a bubble inside of them. He said that all children have a similar sized learning bubble in them as young children. However, as they grow older the size of the bubble changes. For the students who experience success and affirmation at school, at home and in the community the bubble gets bigger and bigger. These children become more confident and increasingly more successful. The learning bubble gets bigger and bigger as they progress. Other students have the exact opposite experience. As they experience criticism and failure at home or at school their learning bubble decreases. In many cases the bubble gets so small that it nearly ceases to exist. These students become discouraged and some dropout.

As in most other analogies, there are limitations in this comparison. Certainly many students are exceptionally resilient and they can overcome extremely negative experiences. Others are rescued by a caring adult late in their childhoods. This adult helps them overcome many of the negative experiences they have endured. This helps them rise above the pain and still find success. Others may have extremely positive and conscientious parents and teachers, but mental illnesses or bad decisions cause them to experience long term failure.
Though this is true, I think this analogy illustrates a very important point: young people need our support and affirmation if they are going to be successful. Fortunately for many young people this is a daily occurrence. Their school experiences and their positive home lives cause them to have more and more success. They build on these successes and become the winners in our system. Many receive scholarships, go on to four year colleges, and become the affluent and admired of our society. Their bubbles are filled.

Sadly, the flip side of the analogy is also common. Many young people are not naturally talented in academics. They often enter the school doors not having the background they need to quickly pick up reading and math. A good number do not have the vocabulary and background necessary to understand many of the concepts they are taught. Adding to these disadvantages are home lives that do not accentuate the qualities these children have. As a result, they find themselves in a vicious cycle of failure and reduced expectations. Some of these students feel at odds with the schools they attend and even dropout before receiving a diploma. Many in this group become burdens on society and frequent users of the social welfare system. Their bubbles have popped.

What can we do to change this picture? This is the question that is important to the whole community; not just to parents and educators. One answer is to appreciate each child as a unique creation with infinite value and worth. We need to help them find the gifts they have and affirm them for these qualities. As a community, we need to continue to provide the resources to help all children discover and develop their gifts. We need to help them find their niche in our society and provide the support needed to actuate their potential. It is also important that we do not let some children believe they are more important than others because they fit the picture of success we typically revere in our society. Rather, we need to help all children understand that they have value regardless of their status. We need to honor them not for their talents but for the effort they make in developing these talents.

I want to thank all of you in the community who are helping our young people discover and grow their unique gifts. Thanks also to all of you who see the value in all young people and affirm them in their worth. It takes a community working together to help all our young citizens realize their dreams and become contributing Americans. This is perhaps the most valuable goal a community can entertain. Columbus can be proud that many people are helping carry out this goal.

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