Book Quote by Seymour Papert
“My ex-student, Idit Harel, who wrote a book, "Children Designs," has a documented story of a kid who was very shy, isolated and didn't talk much to other kids. She was a little overweight, and the other kids looked down on her for that reason.But then she made a discovery about how to do something on the computer. The discovery was picked up by other kids, and within a few weeks there was a total transformation. This kid was now in demand. And that changed her feeling about herself.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Mindstorms, 1993
A shy, overweight child gains confidence after discovering a computer skill that peers value, transforming self‑esteem.
In simple terms: Computer skills can boost confidence and social acceptance.
Key Takeaway
Encourage hands‑on tech exploration for all kids.
Themes
education
self‑esteem
technology
inclusion
transformation
Mood
inspirational
empowering
Type
educational
psychological
When to use this quote
- classroom projects
- after‑school clubs
- online tutorials
Key Concepts
constructivist learning
peer validation
digital literacy
Questions to Reflect On
- What non‑tech activities can also empower shy children?
- How can educators ensure inclusive tech access?
A Different Perspective
Risk of over‑emphasizing tech as sole confidence source.
![“We often treat children as if they're not very competent to do anything on their own. So we make them stop learning in a natural way - by exploring. Logo [the computer programming language ] allows them to find their way around the computer, as they would find their way around the house…” quote by Seymour Papert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a37/seymour-papert-12175_bureaucracy_we-often-treat-children-as-if-they-re-no_185813.jpg)
