Monday, October 20, 2008
Lessons Learned from Children
I believe that children can definitely teach us just as much and a lot of times more than we can ever teach them. There is a wide range of things that we can learn and take away from interacting with children. As Pauch discusses in the book, we have to have an open mind to learning and taking in feelings, emotions, and views from children if we intend to teach them. Their opinions and beliefs should be heard an appreciated. A lot of the scenes described from the book in which Pauch tells about his writing conferences with the children are perfect examples of how we can learn from children. Even though their writings are not "perfected" by English standards, Pauch appreciates them for what they are and shows the teachers how the writings do not have to be perfect. Some people forget that we were all children once and don't appreciate their mindsets. The simplicity and calmness that children use to describe things that a lot of adults stress out about is something that I love about children. Just watching them interact with each other and listening to the things they say can take your mind of anything. I really enjoy that about being around children. I remember going into school one day and I was having a rough morning. As soon as I walked into the building, a first grader came up to me and tugged on my jacket. She softly asked if I could help her tie her shoe and assured me that she knew how to do it but she forgot for the moment. For that moment, my mind was cleared and she put a smile on my face. I think that is one of the most important lessons children can teach us in their own little way, and that is not to take everything so seriously.
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4 comments:
I totally agree with your post about how children can affect adults. Children have the ability to take us away from any worry we may have. I've been babysitting for the same children since I was a freshmen in high school. A few years ago I was going through a difficult family situation and my favorite time was the time spent with these three children. They competely took my mind off of my worries and made me laugh and have fun. I was so grateful to have those moments with Noelle, Jacob, and Audrey because their sweet nature and energy helped me through rough days and rough times. They had no idea how much they were helping me and I will never forget the love they showed, especially during that time. A child's ability should never be taken for granted.
I agree with your post about how children often are the best teachers. I think that is what I enjoyed most about Walking Trees. Seeing the children become comfortable with their class and writitng allowed them to share their stories. So many of the stories were about hardships the children endured. It showed me how much we can learn from children. I also agree how great it is that kids can keep it simple..it reminds us not to sweat the small stuff and that just a simple smile or hello can really help someone out.
I also agree with you. Children have a way about them. They write and think with such simplicity and honesty. I also agree that theyre opions and beleifs should be heard and appreciated. It makes me think of Fletcher in the book Walking Trees. Fletcher lets the children write about what they want to and after he reads them he praises them with positive remarks. Writing is emotional and should be a positive experience for a child. It will only make them want to write more. Fletcher does not mark up the writing or correct misspellings. Writing is about the children's creative thinking, how simple and honest it is. We need to be encouraging to theyre creative minds and like you said Carey, appreciate and listen to what they have to say.
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