What if kids learned the moment they needed a skill, not months before it mattered? We sit down with Ben Somers, founder of Recess.gg, to unpack how problem-first projects, kid choice, and safe online communities can turn screens into tools and learners into builders.Ben shares his journey from public school skeptic to education entrepreneur, influenced by first principles thinking and just‑in‑time instruction. We talk about why homeschoolers often thrive with this model, how small design choices—like letting kids switch classes—transform room energy, and what happens when a Minecraft trapdoor becomes the gateway to circuits, binary logic, and real coding. Along the way, Ben offers practical advice for parents who don’t feel “qualified” to teach: lean on adaptive tools, build daily habits, and protect your child from inherited math anxiety by modeling curiosity over fear.We also break down “socialization” into three parts: connecting with people, navigating social norms, and maintaining a vibrant friend network. Ben explains how Recess.gg focuses on that third piece—matching kids by shared interests and giving them supervised spaces to collaborate on code, 3D worlds, and science simulations. Think of the computer as a modern wand: with the right guidance, kids can create, design, and solve problems that matter, gaining real agency in a world where nearly every job touches software.If you’re curious how to start, Ben keeps it simple: begin with what fascinates your child, choose a safe space, and let projects pull learning forward. Explore Recess.gg, see what your kid wants to build, and watch enthusiasm do the heavy lifting. Enjoy the episode? Subscribe, share it with a parent friend, and leave a review to help more families find their path to purposeful learning.Connect with BenCheck out the website or find him on Instagram. Get a free mini lesson plus 52 prompts so your kids can practice every week here!Thanks for Listening to Speak Out, Stand OutLike what you hear? We would love if you would rate and review our podcast so it can reach more families. Also - grab our free mini lesson on impromptu speaking here. This is ideal for kids ages 6+.Interested in checking out our Public Speaking & Debate courses? Find more here!

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