It seems that everywhere I look, I’m getting the message that our children need more unstructured, independent time. Whether I’m reading about the kind of physical exercise that is appropriate for preschoolers, helping teachers to understand how Multiple Intelligences can improve their effectiveness in the classroom or learning about the effects of “nature time” on children (see previous post) the repeated message is that children are ready, willing and able to learn, grow and develop on their own. All they need is the time and the space to do it on their own terms.
We don’t need to “instruct” them. We just need to set up the right sort of situation, sit back, watch and be there to catch them if they fall (physically and emotionally). We need to get out of the habit of trying to keep them busy. Instead, let’s give them a bucket and a magnifying lens (some blocks and a toy truck, a scarf and a doll), take a deep breath, sit back and watch what unfolds. By being careful observers of our children, we can learn so much! We will begin to notice how they learn, gain a new appreciation and trust for them as capable individuals and, eventually, learn to wait to step in and lend a hand only at those critical moments that enable a new level of learning to happen.
It’s a bit like traveling from coast to coast. You can hop on a plane and get there quickly. You might not know exactly where you are or how far it is from where you started, but you have a general idea, and hey, you’re there! Or you can travel by car, train or bike. You’ll get there at your own pace and you’ll know exactly where you are, how you got there, and how far it is from where you started (and learned so much more “extra” stuff along the way)!
Filed under: Activities for Kids, Education Industry | Tagged: Child Development, Early Childhood, Importance of Play, Multiple Intelligences, Teaching
