Power of Environment, Philosophy, Resilient Education, and Trauma-Informed Teaching
By Peter Liciaga, 6th Degree Master Martial Artist and Author of “Living A Strong Life”
Hello parents,
We all want the same thing for our kids: a life filled with resilience, strength, and empowerment. My own life has been a journey from the streets of the Bronx to world stages, and through it, I’ve distilled what it takes to live a strong life. The essence is captured in my book, “Living A Strong Life,” and boils down to four vital components: environment, philosophy, education, and Trauma-Informed Teaching.
The Environment: A Foundation for Success
It’s often said that you’re a product of your environment. Growing up in the Bronx, I saw firsthand the ways a challenging environment can either break you or make you stronger. The support system I had around me—from mentors to martial arts—became the springboard for my life’s work.
As parents, we have the power and responsibility to curate the environments our children grow up in. Whether it’s making sure they have good role models, encouraging creative play, or simply establishing a home where questions are encouraged, a supportive environment is the launchpad for resilience and empowerment.
Philosophy: The Backbone of Resilience
For nearly three decades, I’ve taught martial arts, a discipline that goes beyond physical training to include a strong philosophical backbone. Techniques like mindful breathing, emotional control, and discipline are invaluable life skills. Research on at-risk youths who took up martial arts showed significant improvements in cognitive and psychological functions. They became more than students; they became warriors of life, better equipped to handle whatever challenges came their way.
Education: The Khan Academy Perspective
Education shouldn’t be a one-size-fits-all approach. Salman Khan, founder of Khan Academy, shook up traditional educational models by proposing mastery-based learning. Just like in martial arts, where you wouldn’t progress from a white belt to a yellow belt without mastering the basics, education should allow kids to move forward only after they’ve truly grasped a concept.
This approach has several benefits. First, it eliminates the “Swiss cheese” gaps in understanding that can cause problems later on. Second, it boosts self-esteem, as children gain confidence from truly understanding what they’re learning. And most importantly, it lays down a robust intellectual foundation, making further learning more accessible and enjoyable.
Trauma-Informed Teaching: The Missing Piece
Life can be tough. The road to resilience is often paved with struggles and setbacks, including emotional or psychological trauma. Trauma-Informed Teaching is an approach that recognizes the invisible baggage children may carry. It’s not about what’s wrong with the child, but what has happened to them, and how we can create a safe space for learning.
Imagine an educational environment where emotional well-being is considered as important as academic achievement. Where teachers don’t just react to behavioral issues, but seek to understand the underlying causes. In this space, the combined benefits of a mastery-based educational model and a philosophy rooted in resilience can genuinely shine, leading to balanced and empowered human beings.
A Strong Life is Happening Now
We’re not waiting for life to begin; we’re living it in the here and now. The battles we face are not future hypotheticals but present realities. As someone who has spent a lifetime in martial arts, I understand the urgent necessity of being equipped for today. Trauma-Informed Teaching, a nurturing environment, a resilient philosophy, and a mastery-based educational model form the armor that can protect and empower your child today.
Parents, we have the incredible privilege and responsibility of shaping the present experiences that will define our children’s future. Let’s not just hope for a strong life for them; let’s realize that they are already living it, and give them the tools to do so with resilience and power.
Warm regards,
Peter Liciaga
6th Degree Master Martial Artist
Author, “Living A Strong Life”
