Future-ready education means preparing children for a world of constant change. It’s about building memorable, positive experiences right from the moment they first walk into preschool. But what does this look like through the eyes of the children themselves? In a special episode of the “Raising Innovators” podcast, we had the chance to hear directly from two young innovators, Lucas and Emma Wilson, about the lasting impact of their earliest school memories.
A Journey Begins at 18 Months
Lucas Wilson’s journey with Young Innovators Academy began when he was just 18 months old. He describes his first impressions as simply “breathtaking.” For him, it was more than just a school; it was one of the first and “best places” he had ever been. It was where he made his first friends, including his best friend to this day. Those early years were filled with foundational learning—from the ABCs and counting to joyful, collaborative moments like a Thanksgiving celebration where all the children learned and performed a song for their parents.
But the learning went far beyond traditional lessons. Lucas vividly recalls the freedom to explore his creativity through hands-on projects. “I do remember…they had an entire bucket full of Play-Doh,” he shared, “and I would just sculpt almost all day, just making cool things out of it.” He also remembers building an entire fort out of cardboard boxes, a project that taught him about community and collaboration in a tangible way.
This hands-on, unstructured approach is central to the Young Innovators philosophy. It’s about giving children the space and tools to build, create, and discover on their own time, fostering a natural love for learning.
Building Confidence, Not Fear
One of the most powerful takeaways from the conversation was how this early environment shaped the children’s mindset. When asked about transitioning to elementary school and facing new challenges, Lucas expressed a remarkable sense of confidence. He learned not to be afraid of failure. His advice to other kids starting a new school year is simple yet profound: “You got this.”
He explained, “If you try your hardest, you’re not going to fail… you’re going to try your hardest to succeed, and that’s all that matters.” This resilience comes from an environment where mistakes are seen as part of the learning process. His younger sister, Emma, who started at the academy when she was “tiny,” echoed this sentiment, sharing that the best way to learn is “from your teachers and learning from your mistakes.”
A Community of Innovators
Ultimately, the experiences Lucas and Emma shared highlight the importance of community. Lucas spoke about how the teachers and staff all “work together to make one big happy place for all types of children.” Now an older student, he feels a sense of responsibility and pride in being a role model for the younger children in the after-school program, guiding them just as he was once guided.
Raising the next generation of innovators isn’t just about teaching coding or art; it’s about creating a supportive “village” where children feel empowered to try, to fail, and to believe, as Emma so beautifully put it, that “you can do anything that you put your mind to.”
