Systems Thinking
Wikipedia defines systems thinking as “the process of understanding how things, regarded as systems, influence one another within a whole. In nature, systems thinking examples include ecosystems in which various elements such as air, water, movement, plants, and animals work together to survive or perish. In organizations, systems consist of people, structures, and processes that work together to make an organization “healthy” or “unhealthy”.”
Systems thinking is important to understand because you need to be able to see the big picture…how you are part of a larger system and how your actions can have repercussions on others.
As a mom and a teacher, this is a BIG concept to try to get across to children who, by nature, are little narcissists. They are not yet able to grasp the concept that their actions have consequences let alone consequences that may harm them or someone, or something, else.
Connected Wisdom
Connected Wisdom is a book by author Linda Booth Sweeney, Ed.D., that is a compilation of 12 folktales from various cultures around the world that explain systems thinking and how one action can affect many. It is focused mostly on the laws of nature: interdependence, systems integrity, biodiversity, cooperationand partnership, rightness of size, the commons, living cycles, waste=food, balancing feedback, reinforcing feedback, nonlinearity, earth time.
I like this book on a number of levels. Not only does it teach about systems thinking but it’s also multicultural which is a big deal to me. I feel that we need to be able to understand the past in order to understand our history as humans…why we do what we do and why we believe what we believe. I also like to study stories and folktales from around the world to see the common themes among people from different cultures. This book will definitely help you get some great conversations started.
My kids liked the stories, but I think it will be perfect when they’re a little older and can really have discussions about the in depth topics.
You can find Connected Wisdom at the Seed Store and one lucky reader will get to have their very own copy for free!
Disclosure: This review was made possible by Mom Spark Media. Thoughts are my own. I received a copy of Connected Wisdom for the purpose of this review. All prizing for MSM giveaways is handled by a third party unless otherwise noted. For this reason prize fulfillment can take up to 90 days after the winners information is received.