16/11/2024 –, Chaum Stage
Teaching children about money and Bitcoin is essential, and families play a crucial role in this education. This workshop explores how parents can use the Roman Trivium—a classical education model comprising grammar, logic, and rhetoric—to introduce and teach these complex topics effectively. By breaking down the history and function of money and the principles of Bitcoin into age-appropriate stages, families can empower their children with the knowledge and critical thinking skills needed to navigate the evolving financial landscape. Attendees will gain practical strategies for integrating these lessons into everyday learning, fostering a generation of financially literate and Bitcoin-savvy individuals.
In an era where digital currencies like Bitcoin are reshaping the global financial landscape, it is imperative that families equip their children with a robust understanding of money and its evolving forms. This workshop, "Bitcoin Adoption for the Next Generation," provides a comprehensive guide for parents and educators on how to approach these topics using the classical education framework of the Roman Trivium.
The Trivium, consisting of grammar, logic, and rhetoric, offers a structured methodology for teaching complex subjects. The talk will be divided into three levels:
Grammar Stage (ages 6-9): This level focuses on the foundational knowledge of money and Bitcoin. We will discuss the history of money, basic financial concepts, and the introduction of Bitcoin as a digital currency. Practical activities and resources for young children will be shared to make these ideas accessible and engaging.
Logic Stage (ages 10-13): Here, we delve into the reasoning and analytical aspects of money and Bitcoin. This involves teaching children how money systems work, the principles behind Bitcoin and its technology, and critical thinking exercises to understand financial transactions and market behaviors.
Rhetoric Stage (ages 14-18): The final level emphasizes the application and articulation of knowledge. We will explore ways to help children articulate their understanding of money and Bitcoin, engage in discussions about financial ethics, and develop persuasive arguments about the future of digital currencies.
Throughout the workshop, attendees will receive practical strategies and educational tools to facilitate learning at each stage of the Trivium. Join us to discover how the timeless principles of the Roman Trivium can be harnessed to help the next generation adopt Bitcoin.
Deanna Heikkinen is a long-time American educator and homeschool advocate whose profound passion for a liberty-minded, classical approach to education has guided her career. With a doctorate degree in education, and masters degrees in both history and anthropology, Deanna has a wide breadth of knowledge and experience with pedagogy and curriculum. Furthermore, her educational philosophy is deeply rooted in the principles of classical education, emphasizing the importance of primary sources, classic literature, and the Great Books. Her approach is not just about imparting knowledge but nurturing free-thinking individuals who appreciate the intellectual heritage of humanity.
Deanna is author of the 2024 book, "The Story of Money: From Shells to Satoshi," which takes an historical and anthropological approach to looking at how money was invented and reinvented money and banking over time. Deanna first learned about Bitcoin in 2011 and has slowly fallen down the rabbit hole. Deanna and her husband, Joel, who also co-authored her book, moved to El Salvador in 2023 to live on a Bitcoin standard. In addition to writing, she has started a classical education tutoring company, Lyceum Tutoring. She also co-hosts the Bitcoin Daily Show's Wednesday 101 Space on X.