Every Child Can : Riverside School's Design-Led Approach to Empowering Children

A must read for an educator who wants to make a difference!

The book brings alive the magic that is Riverside School. I call it magic because it ignites possibilities of what education can be and is on a daily basis in a manner which appears matter of fact (just like the swish of a wand) and yet is largely unseen. The book opens up this magic kingdom to share what are its roots, the bricks that have made the structures so strong, and the spells that hold it all together - the design principles of always keeping the whole child at the center and the belief that every child deserves an education that is relevant, rigorous, caring and empowering.The book through its many anecdotes makes visible what learning can look like, when freed from the notions of exams, rote and mediocrity. The learning examples in the book describe the tight relationship between education and real life. Moreover, the emphasis in education on recall and retention is both questioned and reimagined by describing learning processes wherein due to engagement and meaning-making, children remember every learning session they have been part of. And the book makes great efforts to make clear that this comes by designing learning in a manner which hooks children to explore and understand the why, what and how of a concept.The writing also makes explicit the groundwork which is needed to design meaningful learning opportunities for all stakeholders, whether it is students, teachers, school leaders, and support staff. The detailing brought out in the description of processes that lead to empathetic design tells the readers that all of us have this magic with us.I really appreciate the manner in which the book spotlights the importance of documentation. This is a key aspect in revealing what enables magic to continue and grow, to share knowledge and at the same time give others the opportunity to build on existing ideas. The idea of documentation in most organizations is in the form of SOPs, which restricts thinking as it tells people what and how to do but never shares the why. By highlighting the importance of the origin story, the “why” , it creates an opportunity for more people to understand the problem and iterate the solution if needed.The book also brought me back to the reality that it is not by thinking alone but by doing that magic becomes real. What Riverside has done is acted on its belief in every child’s capabilities and created systems, processes and tools to ensure that every child can do good and well.

The page quality is very nice

Every Child Can! by Kiran Bir SethiThis book is a sheer delight to read—effortlessly flowing, arranged in a logical sequence, adorned with numerous anecdotes and imbued with profound wisdom. Its appeal extends to a wide audience, encompassing students, teachers, parents, and any adult with children in their lives. Kiran masterfully demonstrates the art of storytelling, exemplifying her exceptional skill in weaving narratives.Having been an integral part of Riverside and actively involved in various initiatives such as aPRoCH, DFC, and RLC, I have had the privilege of closely collaborating with Kiran from the initial stages of brainstorming these ideas to their successful implementation over the years.While it's a formidable task to encapsulate 23 years of experience within the confines of a 200-page book, I vividly recall Kiran's invaluable advice from the earlier years: "It is more important to know what to leave rather than what to add" when our presentations became overly cluttered.For me, delving into this book felt like a journey through my own 23 years at Riverside. I wholeheartedly resonate with Kiran's sentiments inscribed in my copy: "My dearest Parul, This is as much your story as it is mine." Love, Kiran

I absolutely loved the book! What a beautiful and well documented journey of Riverside School! The memory of every stage is etched in my mind through the vividly described stories, challenges, and creative solutions Kiran and her team came up with - along with the main protagonists - the children! Thank you so much, Kiran, for making the effort of documenting and sharing it with the world to show what is possible when design is brought into education with empathy and passion. I have made notes, highlighted many sections and will surely revisit the book many times for all the gems of experience and wisdom shared so freely with all!

"Every Child CAN" offers a riveting exploration of Riverside School's innovative design-driven approach to education. From pedagogy to parent-school dynamics, the book intricately details the transformative journey that has shaped Riverside into a haven for cultivating confident, empowered, and humane citizens. Authored by Kiran Ma'am, the book encapsulates her visionary beliefs, providing a comprehensive framework that beckons school leaders, teachers, policymakers, and parents to consider, experiment, and iterate upon its groundbreaking ideas.In this eloquently written masterpiece, the 'I CAN' mindset becomes a powerful mantra, reaffirming the potential for positive change within the education landscape. A boon for educators, the book not only captures the essence of Riverside's success but also serves as an inspirational guide for those seeking to revolutionize teaching and learning. "Every Child CAN" is a must-read, offering a transformative blueprint for creating a more engaging and impactful educational experience.

It narrates the Riverside ethos which is steeped in design thinking, the various processes they follow and how they ingrained the I CAN mindset in the learners.

What a book❤️❤️❤️ A must MUST read..It keeps you engage till the end .. QR code engages you in every step and guide you.. Design thinking in Education.. What an idea..