Will Smith Talks Alternative Schooling and Experiential Learning

Interview with Will Smith: On Alternative Schooling and Education

Will Smith is a household name. With an acting career spanning more than three decades, he has become one of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood. But what many people don’t know about him is that he’s also a strong advocate for alternative schooling and education.

In this interview, we sat down with Will to discuss his thoughts on the traditional school system, why he chose to educate his children outside of it, and how alternative schooling can help foster creativity and innovation.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about your experience with the traditional school system growing up?

A: Sure. I went to public school in Philadelphia until I was 16 years old. And honestly, it wasn’t a great experience for me. I felt like I wasn’t being challenged enough academically, and there were so many rules and regulations that made it difficult for me to express myself creatively.

Q: So when you had children of your own, did you automatically decide against sending them to traditional schools?

A: No, not immediately. At first, my wife Jada and I tried out private schools because we thought they would provide our kids with more opportunities than public schools could. But even then, we found that there were still limitations placed on their learning experiences.

Q: What led you to ultimately decide on alternative schooling for your children?

A: It was actually my son Jaden who brought it up first. He came across a video online about unschooling – which is basically child-led learning – and he was really intrigued by the idea of having control over his own education journey.

So we did some research into different types of alternative schooling programs and eventually settled on something called “experiential learning.” This approach emphasizes hands-on activities rather than textbooks or lectures.

And let me tell you – it’s been amazing watching our kids thrive in this environment.

Q: Can you give us an example of what experiential learning looks like in practice?

A: Sure! One of the things we’ve done is take our kids on trips to different parts of the world. We’ll spend a few weeks living in a new country, immersing ourselves in the culture and learning about everything from history to art to cuisine.

And while we’re there, we’ll also do things like volunteer at local organizations or work on passion projects that align with our kids’ interests. It’s all about giving them real-world experiences that they wouldn’t necessarily get inside a classroom.

Q: That sounds incredible. But some might argue that this type of education isn’t accessible to everyone – not everyone can afford to travel or have access to these types of resources. What would you say to those critics?

A: I completely understand where they’re coming from. And it’s true that alternative schooling options aren’t always available or affordable for everyone.

But I think it’s important for parents and educators alike to recognize that there are other ways to incorporate experiential learning into their children’s lives – even if it doesn’t involve traveling around the world.

For example, something as simple as taking your child outside and exploring nature together can be incredibly educational. Or finding opportunities within your community – whether it’s volunteering at a local shelter or attending cultural events – can broaden their horizons and spark their curiosity.

The key is being open-minded and willing to think outside of traditional methods when it comes to education.

Q: Do you see any potential drawbacks or challenges associated with alternative schooling?

A: Of course! Like anything else, there are pros and cons. For one thing, alternative schooling requires a lot more effort on the part of parents than simply sending their kids off to school every day.

It also requires flexibility and adaptability – because each child learns differently, parents need to be willing to adjust their approach depending on their child’s needs.

But overall, I truly believe that the benefits far outweigh any challenges. When you give kids the freedom to explore their passions and learn in a way that works best for them, it can lead to some incredible outcomes.

Q: Finally, what advice would you give to parents who are considering alternative schooling options for their own children?

A: My biggest piece of advice would be to keep an open mind and do your research. There are so many different approaches out there – from unschooling to Montessori to experiential learning like we do – and what works for one family might not work for another.

But if you’re willing to put in the effort and take a chance on something new, I think you’ll find that alternative schooling can be incredibly rewarding for both you and your children.

Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to chat with us today, Will! It’s been truly inspiring hearing about your experiences with alternative schooling and education.