Hope for the Generations

Generation Alpha — A bright hope for our future!

Last week, I was filled with hope when I had the amazing opportunity to visit a Mesa Middle School in Castle Rock, Colorado. They invited me to speak to four groups of students about being an author during their annual Career Day event. The sun warmed my skin as I stepped out of my car in the teacher’s parking lot at the school. By the way, I still feel a little naughty when I park in the teacher’s parking lot. It seems like I’m getting away with something. Some things you never grow out of.

As I approached the door dragging a wheeled box filled with my books, a tablecloth, bookstands, and bookmarks, a young man waited for me and held the door, so I could enter the school easily. He politely showed me where the library was. What a nice boy. A fine exception to the rule (or so I thought.)

One of the school counselors, who was likely my kids’ age, manned the sign-up table for the Career Day speakers. She handed me a folder of information and pointed me to a bountiful continental breakfast set up. I found a seat at a table filled with accomplished adults. There were two professional female pilots and an engineer. Admittedly, I felt a little less-than. I mean—all I do is tell stories! I wondered if I’d have enough to say to fill four forty-five-minute classes. Would I be able to stir any interest from the students? Middle-school aged kids are kind of squirrely and though I’d worked with kids most of my adult life, I wondered if I would be irrelevant to them now.

Another bright and talkative student showed me to the classroom where I would speak. Secretly, I wished all the students I faced that day would be as open as she was. Left on my own in the classroom, I set up my book table display. Then, I read through my notes for the thousandth time. Soon, the room filled with the first round of young people.

It’s good to have friends.

Their teacher, Garrett Jacobson, is a friend of mine, and he introduced me to his students in glowing terms. (No pressure) And then… I was on. To my relief and surprise, the students were engaged and responsive. I shared my belief that we as human beings are all creative, and then I walked them through a character development sheet. The kids ate it up! They created diverse and interesting characters and were most were willing to share. We all had great fun with the exercise, and in the process, the kids discovered how developing a character can lead to creating a story.

All the while, I marveled at how open and ready to learn these students were. I remembered back to my junior high days and how awkward everyone felt. Only the high achievers took part in classroom discussions. The rest of us did our best to avoid eye contact and risking the judgement of our peers by sharing anything. A lot has changed. And it’s changed for the better!

A New Generation

There is a lot of talk about the different generations these days. My older siblings are at the tail end of the “Baby-Boomers.” I’m an early runner of “Gen Z”. My own kids are all “Millennials” (Gen Y). Though that generation has a bad rap, so my oldest three kids claim to be Gen Z and my baby insists she has nothing in common with her fellow Millennials. The students I had the wonderful fortune to talk with during my presentation are the forerunners of Generation Alpha. They gave me hope for the generations.

The trends point to “Gen A” being more racially and ethnically diverse than any previous generation. Though they are more likely to grow up in a single parent home, they are also more likely to be surrounded by college-educated adults and more of them will attend college themselves. Unlike the previous generations, this generation has never known life without advanced technology. Even Millennials had a few years before everyone had a cell phone and before texting was the most common form of communication. Before everyone toted a handheld computer in their purse or back pocket.

My perspective

I believe that constant use of our innovative technology and too much video and gaming causes short attention spans and hinders social development. I’m a firm believer that children need to go outside and enjoy unstructured playtime. That boredom is a brilliant teacher. I’m a writer and general creative spirit, and I will stand by my belief that we all need space and quiet for our imaginations to flourish. The constant mental input could be a major hinderance to Gen A, but I must also admit that the young minds I engaged at Mesa Middle School are filled with original ideas and a willingness to explore that encourages me greatly.

Every generation has its challenges and its opportunities to excel. It’s tempting and easy to become melancholy for how perfect it was in “the good ol’ days.” But, the truth is, we live in a world of technology that supports the learning style of students today. They have more information at the touch of a finger than we can imagine, and they are learning how to use that as a tool and inspiration to fuel their own creative thinking.

Yes, things are changing, and there are some things, like long chats on the back porch with family, that happen less and less. Kids aren’t as free to roam the neighborhood without fear like they were when I was a kid, but today’s young people are hopeful, bright, and willing to learn and challenge themselves. When you are tempted to feel down, imagining the world going to hell in a handbasket, go volunteer at a local school. The kids will encourage and inspire you to shift your paradigm to one that encompasses their hope and joy.

Bring it on, Generation Alpha! I can’t wait to see what you come up with when it’s your turn.